Photo by Serge Kutuzov on Unsplash

Another year at the Academy of Occult Arts has come and gone, which means it is time to honor those that are moving on. Here, you’ll find the names of 2021’s senior athletes, the sports they took part in, and what some of the underclassmen closest to them have to say.

This one will be particularly emotional for me, as it will be my final blog for The Arcane Citizen–but enough on that. Let’s honor our comrades with pride. For the sake of transparency and unbiased reporting, I asked my fellow members of the Journalism Club to write my section as a collaborative effort.

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Football

Basketball

Baseball

Track & Field

Honorable Mentions

Dance

Broom Riding

Marching Band

Football

AOA’s football team, the Magic Striders, is losing a whopping eight members to graduation:

Edwyrd Bikas of the Debsconeag Clan, #8

Age: 18
Classification: Enchanter
Species: Elf

Bikas has been a defensive midfielder for the Magic Striders since his sophomore year. He was a very skilled ball-winner, a key element in interception and game-changing plays. Best known for his teamwork with Horace and Sage Bloodworth. Outside of the club, Bikas was also a member of the High Flyers Club, where he performed aerial feats with mates Myrrh Fakrana and Laerdya Olaralei.

“Ed has been nothing short of fantastic since I joined. I can’t wait to see what club he’ll join and how far he’ll go.”

Massimo Quercini, #20

Edwyrd Bikas graduated with Honors.

Horace of the Bruton Coven, #22

Age: 169
Classification: Haunter
Species: Vampire

The Bruton Coven has contributed many gifted athletes to AOA’s roster, and Horace is no exception. He’s one of the two shadow strikers in the club and is known for his well-rounded teamwork. Whether speeding across the field or passing on his knowledge to his younger peers, one would be hard-pressed to speak ill of AOA’s target man. Besides football, Horace has expressed interest in various hobbies and has joined a handful of clubs. He graduated as vice president of the Parkour Club, which he and fellow graduate Maria created their freshman year, and was a prominent member of the International Language Club.

“He’s a great example of how a vamp with crazy speed in a club with Enchanters can still be a team player. Horace taught me that winning means nothing unless you can do it together.”

Mirae, #54

Horace graduated with Honors.

Jude of the Bruton Coven, #92

Age: 180
Classification: Haunter
Species: Vampire

If you haven’t guessed it already, the other of AOA’s two shadow strikers is none other than Jude, Horace’s covenmate. Both young Haunters joined their freshman year at the insistence of Mallory, their older covenmate and alleged leader. While there was some controversy and an alleged feud between Jude and Quercini since the witch’s recruitment, the two usually managed to keep their conflict off the field, allowing for fluid gameplay. Jude was also the captain for the Mad Howlers basketball team and an organizer for the bisexual division of the LGBTQIA+ Alliance.

“Jude’s always been a phenomenal athlete, but he’s really blossomed into a team player over this past year. I can only hope we’ll find a shadow striker half as talented as him or Horace.”

Conall Leonelis, #31

Jude graduated with High Honors.

Arion Floros of the Troezen Herd, #53

Age: 18
Classification: Hunter
Species: Pterippos

When people first meet Floros, they perceive him as a student with more creative interests. He joined the Journalism Club his sophomore year and paved the way for TAC’s entertainment section with his series Rumor Has It. He was president of the LGBTQIA+ Alliance and the leader of their gay division, as many may expect–but he was also a prominent member of the drama, environmental, and animal rescue clubs, proving that Floros lives for the spotlight. Even so, none of that changes his abilities as a playmaker for the Magic Striders. Floros was a creative midfielder, never ceasing to entertain the audience with his fantastic moves.

“Arion’s a force to be reckoned with on and off the field! He makes every game fun and exciting, and is always kind to everyone he meets. I’ll miss him so much.

Sekai Mbola, #12

Arion Floros graduated with Honors.

Dagger Heywood of the Birmingham Pack, #19

Age: 17
Classification: Hunter
Species: Werewolf

Sports in the magick community are well-known for their Hunter participants, and AOA’s football club is no exception. Heywood stole the show his freshman year when he tried out for the club as a defensive player, showcasing his talent as a stopper. His teamwork with Massiala and Quercini, an occasional wing-back, has been known to turn the tide in a game. Heywood was also a catcher for the Heavenly Devils baseball team and a member of the track team, where he competed in the 1600-meter and long jump events.

“It’s been awesome to learn as much as I could from Dag before graduation. I don’t know that I’ll ever be able to come close to his power as a stopper, but I’ll do my best!”

Becket Rose, #75

Dagger Heywood graduated with High Honors.

Lucas Howard of the Salem Pack, #4

Age: 18
Classification: Hunter
Species: Werewolf

Primary goalkeeper for the Magic Striders, Howard is a renowned shot-stopper that strikes fear in the hearts of AOA’s opposition. He put his all into every practice and game, joining no other clubs during his tenure. He was arguably the best player in the club in terms of physical strength alone.

“Luke and Adannaya are the best goalies I’ve ever seen! Her speed is defends our goal when she’s filling in for him, but it’s Luke’s raw power that protects the net from the opposition. I look to them both for inspiration.”

Azriel, #10

Lucas Howard graduated with Highest Honors.

Adannaya Massiala of the Bimbo Cackle, #34

Age: 18
Classification: Hunter
Species: Werehyena

Though she wasn’t the first female player to join the Magic Striders in AOA’s history, she was the first to fill in as goalkeeper when Howard was unable to make a game. Many of us still recall that first game with her before the net, when the Striders were up against the Medarry Reapers. The other team was quick to second guess her, due to her small size and stature–until she sped across the six-yard box and blocked their best finisher, Qinie, from scoring. When she wasn’t filling in for Howard as a goalie, she was a masterful sweeper aiding in the Striders’ defense. Off the field, Massiala ran the STEM Club as president and participated in the Robotics Club.

“With Adannaya and Luke in front of that net, we can’t lose! They’re an unstoppable team!”

Gavin Hawthorne, #13

Adannaya Massiala graduated with High Honors.

Zahra Silveira of the Amazon Prowl, #47

Age: 18
Classification: Hunter
Species: Werejaguar

Silveira joined the Striders when she was a freshman and established herself as a prominent wing-back. She made captain her sophomore year and made waves when she chose Jude–who many believed to be the most controversial pick–as her co-captain. Silveira has managed the club well since then, heading every practice and attending every match. Aside from the football club, she was also president of the Hunter Student Council, vice president of the History Club, an organizer for the lesbian division of the LGBTQIA+ Alliance, and a member of the International Language Club.

“It’s been an honor to learn from her these past two years. For both Zahra and Jude to be leaving… Man, I can’t wait to see who she chooses to take her place!”

Howl Queen, #84

Zahra Silveira graduated with Highest Honors and chose Mihangyl Sarren as her replacement.

Basketball

The Mad Howlers–the Academy’s basketball team–are losing six members besides Captain Jude:

Myrrh Fakrana of the Debsconeag Clan, #77

Age: 18
Classification: Enchanter
Species: Elf

Fakrana was a shooting guard for the Howlers; he was an adept ball-handler and an excellent team player, racking up a record number of assists. He was also a member of the High Flyers Club and the third baseman for the Heavenly Devils, AOA’s baseball team, and had to take a break from all three sports clubs following a wrist injury obtained during last year’s quarter-finals. This allowed Fakrana the opportunity to focus on his duties as fourth-year representative of the Enchanter Student Council, which he held until his graduation.

Myrrh Fakrana graduated with High Honors.

Izayah Hawkins of the Hawkins Coven, #85

Age: 18
Classification: Enchanter
Species: Witch

Jude’s co-captain, Hawkins, is what we call a stretch four. He was a power forward who juggled offensive and defensive plays well, and his shooting skills place him above all others. He spent the better part of 2021 training Penjani Mbola, another power forward, everything he knew, molding her into an even stronger player than she already was. Hawkins is also an outstanding flyer, known for performing remarkable tricks at every school festival with the rest of the High Flyers Club.

Izayah Hawkins graduated with Highest Honors.

Melusine Jordan of the Aegean Pod, #36

Age: 18
Classification: Hunter
Species: Merfolk

There’s not much I can say about Melusine Jordan that hasn’t been said already. They’ve been the point guard for the Howlers, captain of the Blue Dreams volleyball team, and on the swim team since their freshman year. They were vice president of the Journalism Club, Art Club, and LGBTQIA+ Alliance, and they are the leader of the lesbian division of the latter organization. Jordan was also in the international language, yoga, and astronomy clubs, proving that you can have a variety of interests and still excel at what you love.

Melusine Jordan graduated with Highest Honors.

Maria of the Oliveira Coven, #26

Age: 174
Classification: Haunter
Species: Vampire

Maria is a naturally-gifted leader; she’s vice president of the Haunter Student Council and stepped in as president following last year’s scandal. She founded the Parkour Club her freshman year with Vice President Horace, was an organizer for the LGBTQIA+ Alliance’s genderqueer division, and was a power forward for the Mad Howlers. This puzzles many who meet the petite vampire in person, and expect her to be a center or small forward, but it only takes a few minutes of practice for them to see the error in their thinking. Her undead agility and strength grant her a whopping 44″ vertical, and she has the most blocks and defensive rebounds of any other player.

Maria graduated with Highest Honors.

Secoiya Rieviere of the Caribbean Pod, #78

Age: 17
Classification: Hunter
Species: Merfolk

Rieviere tried out for the Howlers at the bequest of Jordan; they are the only merfolk on the team, providing representation for aquatic Hunters all across campus. Her speed and agility set her apart as a game-changing small forward. The accuracy of her shots and her ability to adapt on the court made her an irreplaceable teammate. Rieviere was also Jordan’s co-captain on the volleyball team, and a freestyle swimmer on AOA’s roster.

Secoiya Rieviere graduated with Honors.

Rosa Zaldivar of the Zaldivar Coven, #47

Age: 18
Classification: Enchanter
Species: Witch

Zaldivar is another stretch four on the Howler roster. While she fell a few inches short of a power forward’s typical height, she made up for that difference with harsh offensive measures and tactical analyses. Many speculate that she would have been made captain or co-captain if not for past controversies.

Rosa Zaldivar graduated with Honors.

Jude has elected Omari Leonard to be the next captain of the Mad Howlers.

Baseball

Olympia Lopez of the Hollywood Pack, #72

Age: 17
Classification: Hunter
Species: Werewolf

Lopez made a name for herself as a center fielder for the Heavenly Devils baseball team, but has spent the better part of the last year as a backup outfielder as she focused on training the underclassmen who joined them. Her versatility made her a great player, regardless of where she was positioned. Lopez was also the brass section leader for AOA’s marching band, where she played French horn.

Olympia Lopez graduated with High Honors.

Wade Rivers of the San Francisco Pod, #86

Age: 18
Classification: Hunter
Species: Merfolk

Rivers joined the Devils as a freshman, citing a love for the sport since he was very young. He bounced around between baseman and outfielder positions throughout his first year, and by his second year, he discovered his strong arm for pitching. By the beginning of his junior year, Rivers was made captain and assigned as the team’s starting pitcher, a position he held until his graduation. He was also vice president of the Hunter Student Council and a medley swimmer on AOA’s swim team.

Wade Rivers graduated with Highest Honors. He held one final baseball practice before the day he earned his diploma; the day after, he announced that Brielle Ocampo would be the next captain.

Deryn Smyth of the Birmingham Pack, #5

Age: 18
Classification: Hunter
Species: Werewolf

Smyth didn’t join the baseball team until her sophomore year; she originally tried for an outfielder position but underestimated her natural talent, adaptability, and keen eye. She was made the second baseman, a position she held up until her final days at the Academy. Smyth also played bassoon in the marching band, was a member of the Art Club, and was an organizer for the genderqueer division of the LGBTQIA+ Alliance.

Deryn Smyth graduated with Honors.

Track & Field

Feliks Kotov of the Altai Leap

Age: 18
Classification: Hunter
Species: Wereleopard

Hello, this is Fiona from the Journalism Club. After much consideration, the Journalism Club has elected none other than Arion Floros to write Feliks’ biography. May the supreme deities forgive us.

Hiya! Gossip King Arion here to give you the scoop on our favorite hunky, broody mountain cat!

I’m sure many of you know this, but Feliks is the best jumper on the track team. Is ‘jumper’ the right word? Hurdler? Regardless, he’s best at the 110-meter high hurdles and the 3200-meter race. Yay Feliks!

He’s president of the Animal Rescue Club, V.P. of the Poetry Club, treasurer of the International Language Club, publicity officer for the Journalism Club, is an organizer for the LGBTQIA+ Alliance’s gay division, and is a long-time member of the Baking Club. He’s a gorgeous, enigmatic, sophisticated young man with a bright future, and I’m excited to see where life takes him.

Feliks Kotov graduated with Honors.

Laerdya Olaralei of the Merfyn Clan

Age: 17
Classification: Enchanter
Species: Elf

Olaralei is a gifted runner. She joined the track team her very first year at AOA, proving her supernatural talent as the second leg in the 4×100-meter relays. She joined the High Flyers Club the following year, combining her love of speed with the thrill of heights and aerial tricks.

Laerdya Olaralei graduated with High Honors.

James of the Stretch Coven

Age: 154
Classification: Haunter
Species: Vampire

James and I have had a friendly competition over the past four years, even though we participated in different events. He excelled in the high jump and competed in the 4×100-meter relay, usually teamed up with Olaralei, Theron, and Thunder. Off the field, James was the leader of the woodwinds section of the marching band, where he played tenor saxophone.

James graduated with High Honors.

Aslan Theron of the Hopetown Pride

Age: 18
Classification: Hunter
Species: Werelion

As I mentioned in James’ brief biography, the Haunter is normally teamed up with Olaralei and Theron in the 4×100-meter relay–and in those events, Theron was the fourth leg of the race, with his fastest time being 8.9 seconds. Theron was also the historian for the Hunter Student Council, center snare in the marching band, and a member of the Poetry Club.

Aslan Theron graduated with High Honors.

Honorable Mentions

The Honey Bees Dance Team

Nerissa Dow graduated with Honors and named Whitney Shepard as the next captain.

Mortimer Glossian graduated with Highest Honors.

Sarina Jimenez graduated with Honors.

Borbonia Lewis graduated with Honors.

The High Flyers Broom Riding Club

Bridget Campbell graduated with Honors.

Diego de Francesco graduated with Honors and chose Abena Clarke to be the next captain.

Rawena Osborne graduated with High Honors.

Gerardo Serafim graduated with Honors.

The AOA Familiars High School Marching Band

Douglas Burroughs graduated with High Honors.

John of the Connell Coven graduated with Honors.

August of the Dolben Coven graduated with Honors.

Dante of the Horn Coven graduated with Honors.

Malachi graduated with Highest Honors.

Danivyn Norwood graduated with Honors.

Omoyeni graduated with Highest Honors.

Rosetta Prescott graduated with High Honors.

Qebehsenuef of the Wetjes-Hor Nome graduated with Honors.

Morrissey Queen graduated with Honors.

Randel graduated with High Honors.

Cliff Reynolds graduated with Honors.

Rafael Solart graduated with Highest Honors.

Dusty Stewart graduated with Highest Honors.

If you read Aspen’s most recent blog, then you’re aware that my replacement for TAC’s Sports Highlight has already been decided. I chose Helena Corey because she is not only a promising athlete, but a stalwart defender of the truth. I have high hopes for her and wish her the best of luck in her endeavors.

I want to take this moment to thank my colleagues for writing what I presume to be a humble biography for me, as I haven’t read it prior to submitting this blog. It has been an honor to contribute to The Arcane Citizen for the past three years. Please be sure to stick around this week to bid my fellow graduates adieu, and keep in mind that the blog schedule will change next week to reflect TAC’s new reporters and their respective styles.

Feliks Kotov

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