A Sacred Place: Photo Essay

For Simone Hare ’26, dance has always played a significant role in her life. Taking classes since she was four years old, Hare has found connection and beauty in this art form. “Dance has always been something that has brought me joy. Its individuality gives me the freedom to express myself and portray my emotions. It’s important to me because dance gives me the opportunity to learn from other talented artists and be a part of such a diverse and special community, ” Hare said.

For her, performing is another aspect of dance that truly gives Hare the opportunity to present the crowd with engaging and beautiful story lines. “Dance is a way I communicate. I just follow my body and let the crowd interpret my stories in their own, unique ways,” Hare said. “Through dance, I can touch people and show the beauty of this art.”

Introduced to the game when she was six, basketball has been the center of Amaya Tavu’s ’26 life. “I began playing because of my father and my five siblings who so passionately play and love this game. It’s a legacy I continue,” Tavu said.

For Tavu, basketball is more than just a game. Basketball has played a significant role in her growth as a person and a player, equipping her with motivation and ambition that translates to all facets of her life.

“Basketball makes me happy. The game has helped me understand myself in ways no one else can,” Tavu said. “Considering all the highs and lows, early mornings, and late nights, basketball has offered me an escape, and it is something I will never take for granted.”

Starting track her freshman year, Savannah Harris ’25 has rapidly become one of LWHS’s most prominent sprinters. For her, track is more than just a sport; it her motivation and inspiration for her work ethic. “I do track because it allows me to fully forget about my day and just think about running for a while; it’s something I always look forward to,” Harris said.

Aside from running, Harris has found joy taking part in such a talented community of diverse athletes. “I learned to love track when I saw that it was a Black dominated community. I found joy in the fact that there were so many people in this sport who looked like me and who were stars at the world championships and Olympics,” Harris said.

Inspired by so many accomplished sprinters, Harris’s growth mindset pushes her to always look for ways to improve her times. This past year, she attended the State Championships and set a record LWHS time in the women’s 400-meter race and is now the 21st female high schooler in the nation for the women’s 400-meter dash.

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Gabi Gauna-Torres

Gabriela Gauna-Torres is a sophomore and reporter for the Paper Tiger. During her free time, she loves drawing, baking, and traveling.

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