Photo Credit: Jimmy Young
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May 12, 2010
Nicole Pham
Libero senior Darren Tan squats to bump the volleyball as teammate senior Cedric Lousi looks on.
The boys volleyball team defeated the visiting Logan Colts, 3-2, in a post-season playoff game in the gymnasium, May 6. The victory brings the Washington record to 18-7, while Logan updates with a 21-11 record.
Huskies also took the time to honor the seniors, applauding players and their families with leis, flowers and gift volleyballs.
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March 2, 2010
Kaylee Miu
Seniors Lauren Floro and Cedric Lousi were both honored for their athletic achievements in being actively recruited by Division 1 colleges. Floro has been recruited by University of California, Riverside and is guaranteed a spot on the soccer team, while Lousi has been given a full-ride scholarship to attend San Jose State University for football. Activities director Helen Paris arranged a “signing party” for both athletes to finalize their scholarships with family and friends. The leadership class spent the beginning of fourth period, Feb. 2, decorating the multi-purpose room (MPR), plastering the walls with posters and balloons.
“Today, we are honoring Huskies who have taken sports to the highest level Washington has ever seen,” Paris said.
Alumni of 2008 Morgon Woodrow was the last WHS student to be recruited by a university. She now plays basketball for Michigan State University.
Floro has been named all-league selection forward, top offensive player and co-captain of the 2009-2010 season. Outside of school, Floro plays for the Pleasanton Rage and Premiere, a nationally recognized traveling soccer team.
Floro will play a forward for the University of California, Riverside and major in global studies, aspiring to be an elementary school teacher.
“I’m speechless,” Floro said, “It’s official now! But it still feels kind of surreal.”
Lousi, a 6-1 defensive and tight end player for the Huskies, has led Washington further than it has ever gone in 30 years.
“[Cedric] never hesitated to let the team go first,” football head coach Ken Whittmer said. “He’s not only a great player, but also a great leader.”
Lousi had been recruited by several schools, such as Brigham Young University, Sacramento State and University of Northern Colorado, but San Jose presented him with the best offer, fully covering all his expenses. According to Whittmer, the last Husky to have received a full scholarship to a Division 1 school was in 1982.
Lousi has played varsity football for three years and was co-captain of the 2009 season. He was one of two players from Washington chosen to play in the all-star game in Sacramento and honored as third team All-East Bay Selection.
The signing party, filled with camera flashes, emotion and hugs concluded with a loud chant: “Once a Husky, always a Husky.”
This article originally appeared in print on March 2, 2010. It has been modified to correct spelling and grammatical errors.
Photo Credit: Raphael Ghieuw Sien Caption: State Farm specialist Sarkissian, presenting check to WHS football team. Caption: State Farm specialist Sarkissian, presenting check to WHS football team.
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December 28, 2009
Nicole Doan
State Farm Insurance awarded the Washington High School football team $2,500 for being one of the winners of the Friday Night Feats video contest.
The prize-winning video, taken by the father of junior Camron Noorzad, featured defensive end and tight end senior Cedric Lousi’s play during the third quarter of the Sept. 12 football game against Deer Valley High School. Quarterback senior David Ross passed the ball to Lousi, who ran 60 yards to score a touchdown with five Deer Valley players on his tail.
“We were losing. So [the Deer Valley team was] talking a bunch of trash. That made me mad,” Lousi said. “I did whatever I could.”
Although the Washington Huskies ultimately lost the game 14-35, Lousi’s play won them $2,500.
“It’s a great cap to the season,” Coach Ken Wittmer said.
The 2009 Friday Night Feats contest highlights the grandest moments of the high school football season. Fans and a panel of judges determined the winners of the contest. Out of the 350 videos submitted, State Farm Insurance awarded $2,500 grants to 51 winners. The top three additional high schools won $15,000, $10,000 and $5,000, respectively.
The insurance company’s public affairs specialist Sevag A. Sarkissian and three Fremont State Farm agents visited Washington High School’s student center Dec. 17 to present the $2,500 check. Wittmer, the football team and school administrators attended the presentation.
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December 23, 2009
Elmer Seja
The physical education (PE) department is a developing a cardiovascular program for students, utilizing the machines in a designated room in the gymnasium. The program is designed to strengthen the heart. PE teachers thought it would be fun to try something new. The program began during the second semester of last year.
“The kids like it. They workout, and they don’t notice it since they have fun,” PE teacher Kim Freitas said.
There are approximately 20 machines in the room, including the shoulder press and leg press. The PE Department used a $82,000 grant for the room. One machine that students enjoy is the cycling workout.
“I think the cycling workout machine was a good investment because it keeps athletes in shape,” senior Antonio Garcia said.
Sports teams are even allowed to use the workout room. The varsity football team normally did push-ups and other minor workouts but used the machines occasionally.
“I really enjoy working out in the room. My favorite is the cycling workout,” senior defensive lineman Cedric Lousi said.
It is useful on rainy days. PE students do a series of different workouts, depending on what teachers decide to do. Each PE teacher gets the “cardio” room for one class unit. Teachers can either use the room for the entire unit or as a supplement to another workout.
A coach or teacher must supervise students when the room is in use.
Photo Credit: Pro Image Studios
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November 10, 2009
Alex Tyler
During halftime at the homecoming game, Nov. 6, after performances by the cheer team and the school band, an excited crowd waited with bated breath for senior Breana Meagher to announce this year’s homecoming queen. The 2009 homecoming queen is Kellie Ishisaki and the runner ups are Kimberly Chatterjee, Emily Khuc, Monique Pascual and Shay Mozzetti in second, third, fourth and fifth places, respectively. Erika Gerards, last year’s homecoming queen, returned to crown Kellie as queen. The court rode into the game in convertibles, escorted by their fathers, all of whom were ecstaticly proud of their daughters. All of the girls were happy for Kellie, and proud to be part of the homecoming court.
“I was really excited. I had been hoping that she would win because she has done a lot for the school throughout the year,” Chatterjee said.
The next night, at the homecoming dance, this year’s Mr. Husky was crowned. Brian McMahon, last year’s Mr. Husky, came back to crown Cedric Lousi as the winner of the title. The first, second, third and fourth runner ups were Austin Wong, Seth Neumann, Ben Rich and Jack Veronin, respectively. Halfway through the event, the lights were turned on, and everyone stopped dancing as the Mr. Husky nominees were led onto the stage by the homecoming queen nominees. There were smiles all around when Cedric was announced as winner, and he broke out into a huge grin while his mom came on stage to congratulate him.
“I was just excited and happy that I won,” Lousi said.
He definitely hoped to win and it came as a great surprise when his name was announced.
This article has been altered with the addition of corrected information.
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October 4, 2009
Yama Hazheer
Washington played against the Tracy Bulldogs Sept. 24, but lost due to their poor offensive play in the second half. WHS led the game at halftime, but were held scoreless in the latter part of the game and lost to the Tracy Bulldogs 21-42.
“I felt the game was alright in the first half. We had some mistakes but we were still up,” captain and quarterback David Ross said. “In the second half, we did not play Washington football.”
Fellow captain Cedric Lousi was also disappointed in the effort.
“It’s not about how you start, but how you finish,” Lousi said.
The loss dropped the Huskies to a record of 2-2. Not only did it lower the record, but they are not a top ten Bay Area high school football team.
We’re a good team and are capable of doing great things,” Lousi said. “We just have take advantage of every opportunity we get and just play Husky football.”
Despite the loss, Washington still remains at the top of the MVAL standings.
