Python of the Year
“While it’s cool to appreciate the team MVP or Rookie of the Year, appreciating the person who upheld and brought the team together is also important – maybe the most important.”
At the end of each season, the Monroe teams give out team awards to their players. These awards consist of Rookie of the Year, MVP, Most Improved, Eagle of the Year, and more. My award of focus is the Eagle of the Year, which is the award given to the player who has demonstrated the most leadership and ownership throughout the season. This is an award that I want to bring to Comp Sci High and make it our own, calling it the Python of the Year.
Now why bring this up? As we all know, sports are built around team chemistry. For a team to function, there must be an anchor and good chemistry. This is where a person with leadership traits shows up and helps maintain the team. While it’s cool to appreciate the team MVP or Rookie of the Year, appreciating the person who upheld and brought the team together is also important – maybe the most important.
In order to come up with which athlete would be the Python of the Year for each team, I went around interviewing all coaches who are either in season, or were in season. This allowed me to get a clear answer on who the Python of the Year for each team is.
Coach Reardon: “Overall I would say Yanziel Martinez. He had to balance responsibilities of his practices with us and things he had to do with Monroe during the preseason. Even if he couldn’t show up all the time. I still called him the leader for how he showed up. His maturity is something the other kids looked up to. He was like a rock. When other kids let their emotions get the better of them, he channeled his into his game.”
Coach Ayala: “To me it would be Desiree Avornu. She does all the little things. She’s a natural born leader, she works hard, she’s an academic scholar. She practices outside of school, putting time over the weekends. She's grown so much, has different forms of communication with all of her teammates. She served as the co-captain last year, she was a leader then, and even more of a leader now. She contributes to the team in all ways. She’s like our on court coach. The girls respect her, they listen to her advice, she’s always willing to help. Never gets frustrated at her teammates and understands that everyone is on different levels. Which is a good quality to understand that not everyone is on your level. She’s very self reflected and assumes responsibility for her actions.”
Coach Marisa:”I would choose Susu as Python of the year. Susu is a natural-born leader. She fills in any gaps that need to be filled without being asked, she communicates when she will be late/absent at least 24 hours prior, and she takes ownership for her errors and encourages others when they make theirs. Sometimes leaders make a habit of only stepping in when there are faults to point out, but I appreciate how Susu steps in during good and bad times. She is great at giving constructive criticism and she's receptive when provided with feedback. She has been an excellent role model for her teammates, especially for the 9th graders who are new and look up to her. I know I can speak on behalf of the whole Girl's Volleyball Team when I say that Susu's absence will truly be felt next season.”
Coach Johnson: “Throughout the season, Alex V has consistently demonstrated the most leadership and ownership on the team. Not only has he excelled in his individual performance, but his influence on the team’s overall success and cohesion has been undeniable. Alex’s commitment to excellence is evident in every game. Whether it’s through his relentless work ethic during practice or his clutch performances in high-pressure situations, he sets the standard for his teammates. His dedication and focus inspire those around him to give their best, making him the cornerstone of the team’s success.But Alex’s leadership goes beyond just performance. He’s never afraid to step up and guide his teammates when things aren’t going well. He knows when to motivate and when to offer constructive feedback, keeping the team united and focused on the ultimate goal. His communication, whether it’s calling out plays, offering advice, or simply lifting spirits, has been vital in maintaining the team’s focus and morale, especially during tough moments.
Coach Stewart: ”I’m actually going to go with my assistant coach/player: Yariel Beato. From day 1 he contributed, immensely, as a coach and player. He volunteered to be on the staff and sacrificed his evenings and weekends to help our program and players grow. The whole team deferred to his maturity and football IQ. He could hold players and coaches accountable while maintaining the bonds built over the years in club. He sacrificed an opportunity to potentially be a star player, so I could be supported as a coach. He helped me rationalize my schemes and thoughts. Personally, I don’t grow as a coach this year without him. Opposing coaches would marvel at his ability to see the game in real-time as he diagnosed an entire play from the offensive and defensive pov. I know the game of Football will bless him throughout his life because of the sacrifices he made to the game during his career. I, we, would like to enshrine Yariel Beato as our Python of the Year.”
Coach Sturdy: “For the soccer team, our Python of the Year is Denisse Gonzalez. Throughout our season she was fearless in her pursuit to helping teammates grow and holding a high line of expectation when it came to who we are collectively on and off the field (whether it be academics, behavior, or playing soccer). When I had to take a quick trip back home to MN for a sudden funeral, Denisse took front and center with running practice in my absence so we wouldn't lose our progress and chemistry for the final games of the season. She's humble, reflective, quick to lend a hand, and sees something in her teammates that they may not yet see in themselves. To me, she embodies leadership in a way that will open up opportunities galore for her down the line, but that also means she'll be opening doors for other folks along the way. I couldn't be more proud to have coached her during her senior year.”
Yanziel, Desiree, Susu, Alex, Yariel, and Denisse. These players were selected because they demonstrate what a leader is. They show that it’s not just about supporting your teammates, but also being the person to step up when they are needed. To be a role model on and off the court and field. These aspects of who they are has led them to be called the Python of the Year.