Riker’s Block

  • Varsity Letter: Multi sport approach pays off

    Published as a Varsity Letter column in Wootton’s Common Sense newspaper   Prior to the start of the wrestling season, the football roster of the Damascus Swarmin’ Hornets, a school that was the 3A state champion and beat the Patriots 47-9 along the way, was posted in the boys’ locker room. Each of the players

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  • My School Schedule… As Star Wars Classes

    I’m so hyped for the new Star Wars movie, the Last Jedi! After The Force Awakens left us on a cliffhanger two years ago, many of our questions will finally be answered and we’ll get to see characters like Rey and Kylo Ren back in action. In honor of the best far, far away galaxy

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  • Varsity Letter: Surviving the Guillotine

    Published as a Varsity Letter column in Wootton’s Common Sense newspaper Call participation awards the downfall of youth sports all you want, but the truth of the matter is that the ability to participate is what allows sports to be so enjoyable. The thrill of victory, the agony of defeat, the brotherhood and sisterhood of

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  • Eagles, Vikings lead star-studded NFC

    We’re entering the fourth quarter of an NFL season that has been loaded with surprise and excitement. The playoff picture and seeding has been far from settled, meaning that there’s a lot up for grabs and nearly every game for the top teams will have playoff implications. For me, the NFC playoff picture has been

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  • Coco hits all the right notes

    Note: This is a Spoiler-Free Review Pixar endeavored into uncharted territory with its recent release Coco, a film unique for its focus on Mexican heritage and emphasized music element. Not only was Coco successful on both fronts, but it provided us a cinematic triumph and the best release for Pixar since Toy Story 3 in

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  • Which sports are the most fun to play?

    As a competitive distance runner, I train year-round, taking off only two two-week breaks the whole year. But amidst all of that training, I haven’t outgrown my love for playing sports like basketball and flag football. Not only are sports a fantastic opportunity to exercise, but they’re also immensely enjoyable to play, whether by yourself

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  • Why I’m stuffed with gratitude this Thanksgiving

    How could a holiday top Thanksgiving? All you’re asked to do is eat delicious food, meet with relatives, watch football games, and be thankful! I’m grateful for so much this year, and what better way to express my gratitude than a column on my virtual man cave? These are some of the reasons I’m smiling

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  • Music Video: Oh We Rollin’

    The following is a huge project I’ve been working on with my cross country team, a music video titled “Oh We Rollin’”. Hope you enjoy!

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  • Varsity Letter: Constructing a Classic Sports Game

      The following column was  published in my sports column in Wootton High School’s Common Sense newspaper. Think back to the last time you watched or played in a sports game that you considered a classic. The thrill and drama that a classic game entails brings out the best of sports and sticks in the

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  • Imagining MoCo XC Runners as Star Wars Characters

    Cross country is something that I think about a lot, so it is natural that it sometimes slips into my dreams. Once I dreamed that I beat Rohann, which made waking up an unwelcomed occurrence. But the best cross country-related dream was one shared to me by my good friend and teammate Richard Qiao. In

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