Students of UniHigh
Emilia ferrara
Albie Nicholson 7T1 | “It all started with five dollars”
How did you begin soccer?
The reason I got into soccer is because I quit AFL because I was too weak for it. Then I started taking it really seriously and then I had to move house so now I have to drive really far to get to my soccer club. Then I met this kid called Saad. When I first met him he sucked at soccer. The first time I saw him play he couldn’t do anything but then I decided he’s good but he’s just not quite as good as me, close, but not quite as good as me.
What was your first impression of Saad?
I wonder who this guy is friends with and then I also wondered what team he supports and then we played soccer. He sucked. Turns out he just played really badly. I decided he wasn’t bad, he just wasn’t as good as me. In my humble and unbiased opinion, he wasn’t as good as me.
Did you get to know him that day?
No, we just played soccer.
Did you instantly connect and become best friends?
No, but we just like soccer. So we are friends. We became friends because he was in my class and it all started when we made a $5 bet on who would win the Melbourne Soccer Derby. The game hasn’t ended yet because a bunch of fans invaded the pitch so they postponed the game.
James Jack Ferrari 7T1 | “How I got over my fear of dogs”
Why were you scared of dogs?
I think it was because my house is near a park and the dogs would always yell at me and chase me around. I could pet very few dogs before but I was still really afraid. This only changed until mid-late 2022 when my oma (my grandma) adopted a dog. His name is Finley and I was a bit scared of Finley. However, once I warmed up to him he was just so friendly I wanted all his attention and now I want to pet every single doggo that I see.
Are you scared of any other animals?
No, not really. Other animals such as cats do not bark at me.
Have you ever had your own pet?
When my family and I went to Phillip island together, the rest of my family went to the beach and they saw a baby duck and they picked him up and they named him Francis. They looked up online how to care for a duck because our family previously owned a parrot and they didn’t know much about taking care of birds. And then a few weeks later when we got home Francis’ head was resting under his very shallow drinking bowl. He drowned. My dad looked online and the internet said to euthanize the duck but my dad didn’t want to. I’m not really sure why.
Saad Haider 7T1 | Get to know Saad, a passionate sport fanatic
What’s your hot take?
I think there should be a national sports day.
So, sports like people connect with sports in a different realm, it’s crazy. Some people could be going through depression but you’ve got like a basketball in your hand then you’re good. So, I feel like sports is really misunderstood, like there’s a deeper meaning behind sports. Once you have a ball you just enter a different world. A lot of people, all they have to talk about is sport. Sport is like everything.
When did your love of sports start?
Funny story, I was around four years old when my brother was playing around in the backyard, then, suddenly, a ball hit me in the head and they were like hey, why don’t you play. So, I started playing and it was like Boom! I fell in love with it! I was pretty bad \and I wanted to get better so everyday I would practice and boom! Eventually this masterpiece formed and now I know what I know.
Is your family really into sports as well?
Yeah, when my dad was in his early twenties he played for a team as well. Every weekend my family and I go out to the park and play together.
How has sports made a difference in your life?
Sport has a lot of benefits, mentally and physically, because it's good to know that you’re being active and communicating with nature. I feel like sport is like reading, it calms you down and like takes you away from the distractions of the world. Right now I can run 3km really easily compared to when I first started and it feels great.