Senior Snapshots, Quarter Two: Best Friends

Lexi Chua and Katelyn Chao* first got to know each other during zero-period P.E. class their freshman year. “We were in that class, and I remember the substitute teachers would always mix us up,” Lexi said.

“We share similar classes and similar values and interests,” Lexi said. Both of them are involved in the school’s music program and are interested in life sciences—biology and psychology for Katelyn and cognitive science for Lexi. 

Katelyn’s first impression of Lexi was her style. “It was one of the first things when I was like, ‘Oh, I want to be friends with this person,” she said.

She soon developed a deeper appreciation for Lexi. “I admire how hardworking Lexi is—she definitely motivated me to study a lot harder. I’d see all her really well-elaborated notes with cute drawings and was like, ‘Oh my gosh, I should do that too.’”

To Katelyn, Lexi is someone who’s kind, hard-working, and thoughtful. “We have a lot of conversations about deeper things. Some people you’re friends with them and it’s very situational, but I enjoy talking with Lexi about a lot of bigger issues that we’re both passionate about,” Katelyn said.

Lexi has also inspired Katelyn to value more sides of herself. “Having more friends that do music has really made me more passionate about it as well. Before, I was kind of embarrassed to say I played piano for the jazz band, and now I think that I embrace that side of myself more,” Katelyn said. 

What’s one thing you think that Lexi isn’t told enough?

Katelyn: “I definitely think that Lexi needs to be told more that she’s going to be successful and she’s a really good person. We were doing this psych personality test. It was talking about things like self-perception, and Lexi was like, ‘Oh yeah, I’m just an average person. I think everyone thinks that,’ but I feel like Lexi needs to be told that she’s—I don’t know—I think she’s really amazing.”

How has Lexi changed your high school experience?
Katelyn: “Before, I was definitely very much a ‘work hard’ person. I thought that school was school—I should just get all my stuff done. But, after I met Lexi and my current friend group, I started hanging out more after school.”

“I feel like learning is like a marathon, not a sprint. I’m definitely enjoying high school more and balancing working hard with playing hard. I think Lexi has helped me see more sides of that.”

*Katelyn Chao is also a journalist for the M-A Chronicle.

Yandel Hernandez and Gerardo Ortiz’s friendship developed unexpectedly. Although they met in middle school, they had their first face-to-face conversation in sophomore year. Due to Yandel’s social anxiety, the only way he would talk to others in middle school was through a sock puppet, and Gerardo gladly conversed back through his stuffed animal. After being separated by multiple school transfers, Yandel and Gerardo reunited at M-A and have strengthened their friendship ever since. “He’s my best friend,” Yandel said.

“My favorite memory together is when we went to Great America and went on every single ride,” Gerardo said. “It was crazy, we were running around going on the rides again and again and again,” Yandel added. 

The two are frequently on the move. “I would say Yandel’s very energetic and really outgoing,” Gerardo said. “He wants to do things—sometimes we sit by the tree and he’s always like, ‘Come on, let’s go to the Green or something.’”

“I admire his passions and goals—he wants to do something greater. I admire that he wants to help people who are doing sports by being a physical therapist,” Gerardo explained. 

“In my family, most of my siblings dropped out of college and didn’t realize their dreams. I’m trying to be the one who realizes his dreams,” Gerardo said. “Yandel is like overachieving with straight A’s all four years, it’s like really good.” Yandel’s achievements and motivation inspire him to be a better student. 

What’s something you think Yandel isn’t told enough?

Gerardo: “That people actually care for him—that he’s a valued friend. I met Yandel in sophomore year and I’ve met a lot of good friends through him which has improved my school experience.” 

Are you gonna stay close after high school?

Yandel: “Man, I’m definitely gonna keep sending him TikToks and texting him. I’m gonna call him up multiple times a week. I might even visit him because there’s a train to the school I want to go to that might go to where he is.”

“We’ve known of each other since middle school and have been locked in ever since,” Ana Esafe said about her friendship with Ofa Tahaafe. Originally introduced to each other through family friends in middle school, they grew closer after Ofa transferred to M-A. 

“We first started coming together to practice our performance for the Homecoming rally,” Ana added. “Ever since that first rally practice, we’ve just been really close.” 

Ana’s favorite memory of their friendship was when they both performed with M-A’s Pacific Islander Club during the fall rally. “I was really nervous because it was something new to me,” Ofa said, “but Ana boosted my confidence, allowing me to enjoy my first and last high school homecoming rally.”

“Ofa’s one of one,” Ana professed. “You cannot find anyone else like her. She’s the best, and she has the sweetest soul.”

“My freshman and sophomore years were my hardest years of high school,” Ana explained. She struggled with friendships and kept to herself until Ofa transferred to M-A. “My senior year, Ofa has impacted me so much because she has made me come out of my comfort zone, be more of myself, and be more confident.”

“We work because we have similar personalities and can relate when it comes to real life situations,” Ofa said about their bond.

What’s one thing you admire about Ofa?

Ana: “I admire her face card and her personality—she is very funny.”

What’s one thing you think that Ofa isn’t told enough? 

Ana: “I don’t think she’s told enough that she’s pretty and that she has a nice smile—her smile is everything.”

Do you think you are gonna stay close after high school?

Ana: “I think we are 100% gonna be close after high school because of rugby and the sports we play together.”

“I mean, I’ll throw the ball to Lo and he would catch it,” Xander Eschelman said. Xander, quarterback and 2nd-team league player, and Angelo “Lo” Marin, wide receiver and team MVP, proved to be an unstoppable pair on the football field. From their first interaction playing against each other in middle school to their co-captaincy this year, football has been a vital part of their bond. 

“Lo was kinda the first person I met at M-A because, after the first day of practice, we went to a beach bonfire together. That was pretty cool,” Xander said. 

Their friendship goes beyond football and into understanding and appreciating each other’s strengths.

“Xander’s a big important part of people’s lives—especially the younger guys and even the other guys that are his age,” Angelo said. “A lot of people look up to him for how dedicated he is and for everything he is.” Xander himself said he wanted to set a positive example for others around him in his first quarter interview.

“Getting to know each other more and building that chemistry with Xander has made my high school experience better,” Angelo said.

“I knew the team respected him a lot, and I knew certain stuff wouldn’t be as well received from me as it would for him so I asked him to say it or vice versa,” Xander said. “Lo was always fired up during our games and practice, so if we need a spark I would ask him to bring that energy.” Their close friendship enabled them to lead a hardworking and family-like team with their three other co-captains.

Do you think you’re gonna stay close after high school?

Angelo: “Yes. I think we’re both trying to pursue our football careers, so we will keep in contact asking how we’re doing. For example, if it’s Thanksgiving break or something and we’re both back in town, we could go work out.”

What do you admire about Xander?

Angelo: “Xander’s laid back and super cool. I admire his relationship with God and how he’s so tapped in with that. And, I admire how committed and dedicated he is to what he wants to do.”

“She’s definitely my bundle of joy,” Abby Gomez said. “Mattea has taught me so much, especially how to communicate and how to not hold grudges. I really do learn something new with her every day.”

Mattea Harris and Abby met exchanging compliments in the K-wing bathroom. “I was the one that would talk to her,” Abby said, “I would compliment her and she would respond very awkwardly,” she jokingly added. Although they grew closer with each interaction, their friendship clicked after they began having deeper conversations.

“I think it started with our talk about God,” Mattea said, “when we both started realizing we were on our journey with God and started bonding over that.” 

Aligned in their core values, they encourage and support each other in their social and spiritual goals. “I feel like the things we’re driven about are the same and I think that’s what brings us closer,” Abby added. 

“I feel like since we’re both on our journeys with God, we’re starting to be less involved in drama,” Mattea said. “We’re both building each other up and stopping each other from doing bad things—we’re good influences on each other.”

“She gets me out of my comfort zone,” Abby said. “I feel like that’s good to have in a friendship especially so we can be stronger and succeed together.” 

What do you admire about Mattea?

Abby: “I admire her presence, it’s very bubbly and charming. I definitely like her style. She has good style, and I just love her personality. I love that she’s not a negative person—even when something bad happens she’s calm and collected about it.”

What’s something Mattea isn’t told enough?

Abby: “Something that she should hear more is that she’s beautiful. She’s so humble, but she really needs to understand that she’s such a pretty girl.”

“When you first meet Jayden, you’d think he’s very quiet and stays out of the way, but when you get to know him, he’s actually very funny and kind of a caring person,” Semisi “Misi” Tuipulotu said. 

Jayden Delafuente and Misi met during rugby practice the summer of their sophomore year. “We just clicked during the first practice,” Misi said. “During our passing drills, we both messed up and we’ve been with each other ever since.”

Through rugby and football, practices before games and meals after, Jayden and Misi have bonded over the past two years. “We had a lot of similar interests, so I felt like it was easy for us to get along,” Misi said. 

“Jayden’s made my high school experience way better than I could possibly imagine,” Misi said. “Last year, I would mostly hang out with a bunch of seniors and him, but now that the seniors are all gone, getting to know him this year has really helped me make it through.”

Misi joined the football team in the middle of the season, and Jayden helped him adjust to the sport’s demanding schedule. “Jayden’s been there for me the whole time. He’s been helping me and guiding me through how to get through the day—whether it’s with simple motivational words or just going out to eat,” Misi said.

“Jayden is a really passionate and good friend, not only to me but just to anybody he meets. You can just tell that he’s like a ride-or-die for you,” Misi added.

What’s one thing you admire most about Jayden?

Misi: “I admire his work ethic. Sometimes when I’m feeling lazy or just don’t want to do the workouts or go to practice, he would motivate me and say like, ‘Come on, you just gotta go. Let’s get this done.’”

What’s one thing you think that Jayden isn’t told enough?

Misi: “One thing I think that Jayden isn’t told enough is that he’s good enough. I feel like he’s always thinking of something that he could have done better on, but I feel like if you just tell him that he’s good enough, it would probably make his day a lot better.”

“We’re besties!” Angeleah Fayette said.

Angeleah and Ana Guzman met in Ms. King’s Algebra I class during their freshman year. “I tapped her shoulder and I was like, ‘Hey, can you pass me the tape?’ and she was like, ‘Yeah, here you go.’ That’s how we met,” Ana said.

For Angeleah, the moment they officially became friends was during FlexTime, when they both booked an appointment in Ms. King’s class. “She just came up to me sat next to me for no reason, and then we started talking,” Angeleah said. 

“We accidentally told each other everything about each other,” Angeleah added. “We went into lunch and we literally became in sync. We started talking a lot all about our lives, which is really weird when you first meet someone. We added each other on Snap, and then we became friends.” 

“It was official,” Ana added. 

“We work well together because Ana understands my humor. She’s really chill, nonchalant, and I’m really not, so we balance each other out,” Angeleah said. 

“Angie sees the good in everyone. She’s too nice. Even if you’re mean to her, she still tries to be nice to you,” Ana added. “She’s so caring. She’s always asking, ‘Are you okay? How do you feel today?’ and is always checking up on you.”

Do you plan on staying close after high school?

Angeleah: “I cried today because I realized that I don’t think we’re going to the same college. Ana really wants to go to Santa Clara University, and I want to go to San Diego. We want to go to college together, but I don’t think it’s going to happen.”

What’s something you admire about Angeleah?

Ana: “I admire that she’s a hard worker and really determined. She has her job and seven classes—she’s doing one online too—and then she still manages to go canning, and she still goes to school events.”

“Me and Paul are very good friends,” Abbie Macleod said. “Sometimes he’s almost like a lover, or brother—but not at the same time—that’s really weird. But yeah—he’s my ride-or-die.”

Paul Whelan and Abbie met through a mutual friend in sixth grade. They have been close ever since, from eating lunch together in the F-Wing as freshmen to laughing over Friday board game nights. “I’m the person that introduced Paul to Donner Dinner Party,” Abbie said. “Paul is a terrible player and a wonderful person to play with.” 

“We keep each other entertained in class,” Paul said. The pair is especially close because of their similarly childish sense of humor.

Last summer, Paul and Abbie went to a Noah Kahan concert with their friend group. “Typically, we don’t do any big outings as a group, but it was really fun to go and do something bigger like that. We waited in line together and got into the venue,” Abbie said. “In all of our videos from the concert, Paul is right next to me. It’s really fun watching those back and seeing us smiling, singing, and having fun.”

“We’re also both driven by similar things, so, apart from just making each other laugh and having a good time with each other, we can also have conversations about things that are more serious too,” Abbie said. “I feel like we can talk about basically anything.”

Describe Paul.

Abbie: “Describing Paul is hard because there are so many elements to him. Paul is very funny. He’s beautiful, and he’s very, very smart—both in school and outside of school. He’s also very caring.”

What’s one thing you admire the most about Paul?

Abbie: “I admire his work ethic. He gets up in the morning at like 6 a.m., and a lot of the time he goes to Philz Coffee to the point where they even know his name and his order. When he wants to get something done, he’ll just go someplace and he can just do it.”