Stealthy Oswego East surprises
seniors with décor, drive-by parade
By Chris Walker
Alex McPhee and a few of her Oswego East teammates had a secret mission late Tuesday night (May 12) and Wednesday afternoon (May 13). It required darkness, black clothing, innovative arts and crafts skills, and cars filled with the loving, smiling faces of the Wolves team.
Mission accomplished.
Dressed in all black and being super quiet as they tiptoed around the homes of their five senior teammates, McPhee, her freshman sister Sam McPhee, freshman Izzy Kastel and sophomores Mikayla Lambert, Chloe Noon and Erika Smiley posted signs, hung up balloons and streamers, and got creative due to a lack of resources.
They glued sticks to soccer-themed paper plates to be displayed on lawns in front yards used the back of wrapping paper for garage signs and utilized poster board and chalk.
The following morning, as seniors Allison Adams, Kaitlynne Bizoukas, Madison Frazer, Tanya Koomjohn and Haley Lewis, rubbed the sleep out of their eyes and jumped out of bed, they were welcomed by a great surprise put on display for all to see in front of their respective homes.
“Me and my mom were thinking about what to do, and Maddy Frazer had always wanted a senior basket,” Alex McPhee said. “And we did one last year and felt that she still deserved one, and we decided to get the whole team involved and see what they would want to do. We decided to do a drive-by and to drop off the baskets and think of other ways of recognize them. We also decorated every (senior’s) house.”
Adams was in her bedroom at around 9:30 on Tuesday night when she heard her younger sister Melissa laughing.
“She was out by the front yard and giggling,” she said. “I had no reason to suspect anything, but something seemed fishy. I had no idea they were coming over and decorating while I was up in my room, but they were out there.”
Lewis had heard about what some of the other Oswego East athletics teams had been doing to recognize their seniors so she excepted something was up, but didn’t know what or when.
“I was completely caught off guard,” she said “I woke up and walked down the stairs and saw this sign in the front door but didn’t know what it was. I got closer and thought, ‘What the heck? What’s this?’ I didn’t expect all this. At first, I didn’t know what it was or who did it. I went to bed super early (the night before).”
She was washing cars in the family driveway around lunchtime Wednesday when she saw a line of cars gathering nearby. Earlier her mother told her that someone was dropping something off for her at around 1 p.m.
“I was washing cars and saw a line of cars around the corner of my house when it clicked,” Lewis said. “I didn’t even think anything of it when (my mom) said to make sure I was home at one.”
Since she’s been homeschooled and was new to the team this year, Kaitlynne Bizoukas may have been considered a bit of an outsider, but her Wolves teammates made her feel completely at home by including her in these festivities.
“I was really surprised,” she said. “It was very kind for them to do this for me. I didn’t get much time with them. I didn’t get a chance to even play, so I was really happy they still thought of me, being the only one homeschooled and having only a few weeks together.”
While some of the seniors have known each other for years, their relationships with some of their teammates are quite new. Those newer friendships were pretty much put on pause, carried on only via technology during the pandemic, so the drive-bys served as a rare, actual live team gathering, albeit brief and done from afar.
“We know everyone’s names, but we haven’t had time to play with some of the younger ones, so it was really cool that some of the younger girls who can’t drive yet had their older siblings drive them,” Adams said. “That way I was able to see some of the older girls I used to play with.”
Koomjohn, who was new to the varsity squad as well, worked overtime for her spot. She ran cross country in the fall to push herself so that she was ready to transition from the JV team. It paid off, but unfortunately she never got to touch the field this spring.
Frazer, like several of her teammates, has been around long enough to remember what actually having a soccer season is like, including Senior Night festivities. The NIU commit has seen former teammates treated like superstars at the special home game that included pre-game recognition and a post-game cookout with a lively crowd of friends, family and other loved ones.
Obviously knowing that she wouldn’t be able to bask in an unforgettable night like past seniors, Frazer wasn’t oblivious to the rumblings from her junior and underclassmen teammates that they’d be up to something for the seniors. Still, they snuck this one past her, just like she planned to slip shots past goalies this spring.
“I figured they’d do something at some point, but I didn’t know what,” she said. “It was pretty memorable for sure. I loved it. It’s funny because my mom knew it was happening so when I woke up and saw the decorations it was nice, and then an hour later they did a drive-by with the whole team coming by, like they do for birthdays (during the statewide lockdown). I got a basket from Alex McPhee and Chloe Noon. All of it was really nice. I love my team.”
All the seniors received baskets filled with a variety of gifts, including small jars of dirt and grass from Oswego East’s field.
“We did a basket last year for Katie Olivas and gave her a pillow with pictures from the season and a lot of sentimental stuff,” McPhee said. “We also went to the field and took dirt from the field and put it in a little jar with a little note/poem about how the dirt is sentimental.”
The girls loved the little jars jammed full of the natural playing surface that was home to them every spring.
“One of the hugest things in the basket from Alex and her mom was the dirt from the field that they put in a little bottle,” Frazer said. “That we played on that field and worked so hard on that field. That was really nice and creative consideration.”
It reads:
“On this dirt, you have your true girl, determination and character. This dirt holds your laughter as tightly as it holds your frustration, especially not having a senior year due to COVID-19 pandemic. On this dirt you have made friendships that will always be a part of you. Life goes on and off this dirt, but nothing can compare to the feeling you get while standing on it ready for a soccer game. Each time you look at this jar of dirt know in your heart what it stands for, and all the wonderful memories it holds at OEHS!”
Adams received some everyday things in her gift.
“There were a few things of candy and some plates, bowls and cups that I will take to college with me because no one seems to use the meal plan,” she said. “I got some facemasks and a variety of other things.
“There was a nice poster with pictures of my three years playing. It was all really nice, and I’ll have to find a way to use it all. They gave me some bubbles, so if I’m bored I might be out blowing bubbles.”
Bizoukas has seen some good come out of the pandemic as she recently committed to play soccer at Central Methodist University in Missouri. While she’s excited to have that in place, she will always wonder what could’ve happened in her sole year with the Wolves.
“It was disappointing about the season we lost, to say I’m heartbroken doesn’t begin to explain it,” she said. “I was really looking forward to it. It’s a special group of girls that I was really excited to play with. Obviously, I’m going to college and still get to play, but losing the chance to play with these girls was disappointing. It’s hard knowing our season was canceled so it’s hard to look ahead.”
By now, Bizoukas likely would’ve made some good friends and collected some great memories. When you’re a part of a high school soccer team and cramming in a lot of practices and games in a few months, that’s pretty much guaranteed. She’s hopeful that will still happen thanks to the limited connections she made.
“We only had a few weeks together, but all the girls clicked really well,” she said. “I’m really excited to see what they are all going to do, and I hope to stay in touch with everyone.”
Lewis, who received a Stitch stuffed animal among other items in her basket, said she really feels appreciated by her teammates, but that it was bittersweet to see all her teammates for one official last time. She plans on bringing her Stitch with her when she embarks on college life at Grand Valley State this fall.
“It was super sweet with everything and all the wishes and stuff,” she said. “It was hard, but I didn’t cry.”
Suddenly playing soccer for the Wolves is over. High school is over.
“It’s weird to think that my next school assignment is going to be a college one,” Lewis said. “I can’t wrap my head around that. That I’m not going back into an East classroom doesn’t sit right. It just doesn’t feel real to finish the year off like this.”
It truly was a busy week of celebration and recognition for Adams who turned 18 on Friday (May 15) and was able to get closure on her high school playing career before heading off to the Purdue Fort Wayne this fall.
“It was a nice way to close everything up,” she said. “I think to some extent it’s kind of interesting to see what will happen next. Unfortunately, we can’t do some things now for fun so you have to be a little creative at times. (For my birthday) we went out and picked up some dinner and went back home and ate and watched a movie. Kept it simple.”
Alex McPhee spearheaded the entire surprise of decorating, gifts and drive-bys, but it would not have been as successful and well-received by the seniors without the help of many, especially during a time where social interaction has been held to a minimum.
“I’ve always been with Haley (Lewis) and Maddy (Frazer) and hanging out with their grade so it’s going to be weird to not play with them next year when I’m a senior,” McPee said. “The decorating was a lot of fun and the drive-by with the entire team, I was so proud of them.
“They all followed us, and we had some seniors like 15 minutes away and had to try to stay in a line. Everyone was so awesome to come and support them. Some hadn’t even played with them because we only got four practices in. It was kind of different but everyone seemed super happy and positive, and it was great to have everyone there together.”
As for any advice the seniors are leaving behind, perhaps what Lewis shared with Noon is most worthwhile.
“I told Chloe to make sure you don’t take anything for granted in high school,” Lewis said. “These are times you are going to remember forever so don’t hold yourself back. Go live your life.”
seniors with décor, drive-by parade
By Chris Walker
Alex McPhee and a few of her Oswego East teammates had a secret mission late Tuesday night (May 12) and Wednesday afternoon (May 13). It required darkness, black clothing, innovative arts and crafts skills, and cars filled with the loving, smiling faces of the Wolves team.
Mission accomplished.
Dressed in all black and being super quiet as they tiptoed around the homes of their five senior teammates, McPhee, her freshman sister Sam McPhee, freshman Izzy Kastel and sophomores Mikayla Lambert, Chloe Noon and Erika Smiley posted signs, hung up balloons and streamers, and got creative due to a lack of resources.
They glued sticks to soccer-themed paper plates to be displayed on lawns in front yards used the back of wrapping paper for garage signs and utilized poster board and chalk.
The following morning, as seniors Allison Adams, Kaitlynne Bizoukas, Madison Frazer, Tanya Koomjohn and Haley Lewis, rubbed the sleep out of their eyes and jumped out of bed, they were welcomed by a great surprise put on display for all to see in front of their respective homes.
“Me and my mom were thinking about what to do, and Maddy Frazer had always wanted a senior basket,” Alex McPhee said. “And we did one last year and felt that she still deserved one, and we decided to get the whole team involved and see what they would want to do. We decided to do a drive-by and to drop off the baskets and think of other ways of recognize them. We also decorated every (senior’s) house.”
Adams was in her bedroom at around 9:30 on Tuesday night when she heard her younger sister Melissa laughing.
“She was out by the front yard and giggling,” she said. “I had no reason to suspect anything, but something seemed fishy. I had no idea they were coming over and decorating while I was up in my room, but they were out there.”
Lewis had heard about what some of the other Oswego East athletics teams had been doing to recognize their seniors so she excepted something was up, but didn’t know what or when.
“I was completely caught off guard,” she said “I woke up and walked down the stairs and saw this sign in the front door but didn’t know what it was. I got closer and thought, ‘What the heck? What’s this?’ I didn’t expect all this. At first, I didn’t know what it was or who did it. I went to bed super early (the night before).”
She was washing cars in the family driveway around lunchtime Wednesday when she saw a line of cars gathering nearby. Earlier her mother told her that someone was dropping something off for her at around 1 p.m.
“I was washing cars and saw a line of cars around the corner of my house when it clicked,” Lewis said. “I didn’t even think anything of it when (my mom) said to make sure I was home at one.”
Since she’s been homeschooled and was new to the team this year, Kaitlynne Bizoukas may have been considered a bit of an outsider, but her Wolves teammates made her feel completely at home by including her in these festivities.
“I was really surprised,” she said. “It was very kind for them to do this for me. I didn’t get much time with them. I didn’t get a chance to even play, so I was really happy they still thought of me, being the only one homeschooled and having only a few weeks together.”
While some of the seniors have known each other for years, their relationships with some of their teammates are quite new. Those newer friendships were pretty much put on pause, carried on only via technology during the pandemic, so the drive-bys served as a rare, actual live team gathering, albeit brief and done from afar.
“We know everyone’s names, but we haven’t had time to play with some of the younger ones, so it was really cool that some of the younger girls who can’t drive yet had their older siblings drive them,” Adams said. “That way I was able to see some of the older girls I used to play with.”
Koomjohn, who was new to the varsity squad as well, worked overtime for her spot. She ran cross country in the fall to push herself so that she was ready to transition from the JV team. It paid off, but unfortunately she never got to touch the field this spring.
Frazer, like several of her teammates, has been around long enough to remember what actually having a soccer season is like, including Senior Night festivities. The NIU commit has seen former teammates treated like superstars at the special home game that included pre-game recognition and a post-game cookout with a lively crowd of friends, family and other loved ones.
Obviously knowing that she wouldn’t be able to bask in an unforgettable night like past seniors, Frazer wasn’t oblivious to the rumblings from her junior and underclassmen teammates that they’d be up to something for the seniors. Still, they snuck this one past her, just like she planned to slip shots past goalies this spring.
“I figured they’d do something at some point, but I didn’t know what,” she said. “It was pretty memorable for sure. I loved it. It’s funny because my mom knew it was happening so when I woke up and saw the decorations it was nice, and then an hour later they did a drive-by with the whole team coming by, like they do for birthdays (during the statewide lockdown). I got a basket from Alex McPhee and Chloe Noon. All of it was really nice. I love my team.”
All the seniors received baskets filled with a variety of gifts, including small jars of dirt and grass from Oswego East’s field.
“We did a basket last year for Katie Olivas and gave her a pillow with pictures from the season and a lot of sentimental stuff,” McPhee said. “We also went to the field and took dirt from the field and put it in a little jar with a little note/poem about how the dirt is sentimental.”
The girls loved the little jars jammed full of the natural playing surface that was home to them every spring.
“One of the hugest things in the basket from Alex and her mom was the dirt from the field that they put in a little bottle,” Frazer said. “That we played on that field and worked so hard on that field. That was really nice and creative consideration.”
It reads:
“On this dirt, you have your true girl, determination and character. This dirt holds your laughter as tightly as it holds your frustration, especially not having a senior year due to COVID-19 pandemic. On this dirt you have made friendships that will always be a part of you. Life goes on and off this dirt, but nothing can compare to the feeling you get while standing on it ready for a soccer game. Each time you look at this jar of dirt know in your heart what it stands for, and all the wonderful memories it holds at OEHS!”
Adams received some everyday things in her gift.
“There were a few things of candy and some plates, bowls and cups that I will take to college with me because no one seems to use the meal plan,” she said. “I got some facemasks and a variety of other things.
“There was a nice poster with pictures of my three years playing. It was all really nice, and I’ll have to find a way to use it all. They gave me some bubbles, so if I’m bored I might be out blowing bubbles.”
Bizoukas has seen some good come out of the pandemic as she recently committed to play soccer at Central Methodist University in Missouri. While she’s excited to have that in place, she will always wonder what could’ve happened in her sole year with the Wolves.
“It was disappointing about the season we lost, to say I’m heartbroken doesn’t begin to explain it,” she said. “I was really looking forward to it. It’s a special group of girls that I was really excited to play with. Obviously, I’m going to college and still get to play, but losing the chance to play with these girls was disappointing. It’s hard knowing our season was canceled so it’s hard to look ahead.”
By now, Bizoukas likely would’ve made some good friends and collected some great memories. When you’re a part of a high school soccer team and cramming in a lot of practices and games in a few months, that’s pretty much guaranteed. She’s hopeful that will still happen thanks to the limited connections she made.
“We only had a few weeks together, but all the girls clicked really well,” she said. “I’m really excited to see what they are all going to do, and I hope to stay in touch with everyone.”
Lewis, who received a Stitch stuffed animal among other items in her basket, said she really feels appreciated by her teammates, but that it was bittersweet to see all her teammates for one official last time. She plans on bringing her Stitch with her when she embarks on college life at Grand Valley State this fall.
“It was super sweet with everything and all the wishes and stuff,” she said. “It was hard, but I didn’t cry.”
Suddenly playing soccer for the Wolves is over. High school is over.
“It’s weird to think that my next school assignment is going to be a college one,” Lewis said. “I can’t wrap my head around that. That I’m not going back into an East classroom doesn’t sit right. It just doesn’t feel real to finish the year off like this.”
It truly was a busy week of celebration and recognition for Adams who turned 18 on Friday (May 15) and was able to get closure on her high school playing career before heading off to the Purdue Fort Wayne this fall.
“It was a nice way to close everything up,” she said. “I think to some extent it’s kind of interesting to see what will happen next. Unfortunately, we can’t do some things now for fun so you have to be a little creative at times. (For my birthday) we went out and picked up some dinner and went back home and ate and watched a movie. Kept it simple.”
Alex McPhee spearheaded the entire surprise of decorating, gifts and drive-bys, but it would not have been as successful and well-received by the seniors without the help of many, especially during a time where social interaction has been held to a minimum.
“I’ve always been with Haley (Lewis) and Maddy (Frazer) and hanging out with their grade so it’s going to be weird to not play with them next year when I’m a senior,” McPee said. “The decorating was a lot of fun and the drive-by with the entire team, I was so proud of them.
“They all followed us, and we had some seniors like 15 minutes away and had to try to stay in a line. Everyone was so awesome to come and support them. Some hadn’t even played with them because we only got four practices in. It was kind of different but everyone seemed super happy and positive, and it was great to have everyone there together.”
As for any advice the seniors are leaving behind, perhaps what Lewis shared with Noon is most worthwhile.
“I told Chloe to make sure you don’t take anything for granted in high school,” Lewis said. “These are times you are going to remember forever so don’t hold yourself back. Go live your life.”