54 OCTOBER 2021 Page 66 Arcadia News Book Club prepares to welcome author for Q&A at upcoming book club event. Page 32 Prost! - ein Toast! Oktoberfest is here and we raise our glass to the line-up of festivities Phoenix has to offer. Trick or Treat, Arcadia! Samantha Bruning, Madison Peak, Carlie Peak and Serenity Bruning know a thing or two about making their own Halloween costumes. Find inspiration to create your own after reading our feature on homemade costumes in Arcadia on page 15. October 2014 Vol. 22 No. 7 AWARD WINNING NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS SINCE 1993 ARCADIANEWS.COM / ARCADIAHO.ME OCTOBER IS BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH ARCADIANEWSARCHIVES.COM I f the pandemic has given us nothing else, it’s provided perspective both in home life and work life. In particular, it’s been a huge reminder of what’s most important. I’ve said that more than once lately, but the theme of pursuing happiness persists. I recently made a new friend. This person is smart, accomplished and has a long career made up of jobs that would impress anyone. We’re the same age. But there is one thing that’s very different between us. This friend is dying of terminal cancer. He hasn’t known about it for long, and he wasn’t given much time. We spend most of our lives waiting for the future. We’re waiting until our work gets better. We’re waiting for another time to travel. We’re waiting to take risks. We’re waiting for a promotion. We’re unhappily trudging through life, waiting for something new. And, unfortunately, that future we’re patiently waiting for is not guaranteed. Although my friend’s story is sad, it’s also inspirational. He is using his time to pursue the things he loves. He’s traveling, surfing, and spending time with friends. He’s living without fear, and he’s no longer doing the things he hates. There’s no more time for being unhappy with a job or living an unhappy life. He is pursuing his happiness. If you don’t love your work, perhaps it’s time to reevaluate. Companies are being more flexible than ever. Many jobs are remote. And some companies are offering new perks to help their employees with work-life balance. If you’ve ever wanted to work for a company that’s not located near your home (but you don’t want to move), this is the time. If you’ve ever wanted to move (but haven’t been able to because of your job), this is also the time. Steve Jobs famously said, “For the past 33 years, I have looked in the mirror every morning and asked myself, ‘If today were the last day of my life, would I want to do what I am about to do today?’ And whenever the answer has been ‘no’ for too many days in a row, I know I need to change something.” That is a simple yet important concept. We’re all going through a period that feels out of control with fewer choices available to us than we would like. We may feel stuck. But don’t lose hope. In the same way that the pandemic has closed doors, it has opened new ones. Look for those new doors, and redesign your life so that you can pursue your own happiness. An ongoing pursuit Career Corner Career expert and founder of Copeland Coaching. copelandcoaching.com BY ANGELA COPELAND Trick or Treat, Arcadia! Samantha Bruning, Madison Peak, Carlie Peak and Serenity Bruning know a thing or two about making their own Halloween costumes. Find inspiration to create your own after reading our feature on homemade costumes in Arcadia.

55 OCTOBER 2021 Elle McCreery, Kate Tax, Emma Caruso, Ava Larkin, Tiffany Tellez, Alexa Shiner, Kristy Tom, Hannah Ulisch, Mia Accomazzo, Olivia Lenz, Maddie MacDonald, Emma Soderstrom, Theresa Romero, Finley Workman and Isabella Sinacori. PHOTO COURTESY OF LAMAR ! RENEE BRYANT By Rachael Bouley The Xavier Prep volleyball team has a nearly decade-long streak of winning, and not just in athletics. The team recently earned the U.S. Marine Corps and American Volleyball Coaches Association’s Team Academic Award for the 2020-2021 season. The award, which began back in 1992-93, recognizes volleyball teams that maintain a year-long grade-point average of 3.30 on a 4.0 scale. As the head volleyball coach, Lamar- Renee Bryant acknowledges the importance of balancing sports and schoolwork, allowing the Gators to earn well-deserved recognition for their efforts. She said her student-athletes worked hard to make this award a reality for the ninth year in a row. “We go to an academically rigorous school, so these girls have to put the same amount of work into the classroom as they do in sports. This award furthers the school’s mission: women of faith pursuing excellence,” Bryant said. Bryant explained that time management is a crucial skill for student-athletes, and the volleyball coaching staff constantly reiterates the need to do academics first. “We encourage athletes to meet with teachers and be on top of their assignments because if they are stressed in the classroom, they are stressed on the court,” Bryant said. “We want them to be aware and ask for support when needed.” Bryant recognizes that the team’s achievements mean a lot to the school and that it’s essential to show their talent not only on the court but also in the classroom. It is something the Gators will keep striving for in the season ahead. “We are still living in this crazy world, so the goals for us are to maintain both mental and physical health throughout the season,” Bryant said. “We want to be able to complete the season and play. We want volleyball to be an outlet for our girls to grow as they experience the stress of living in this unchartered territory.” The team advanced to the quarterfinals of the 6A State Championships last year. Now, the 6A champs are ready to get back to the game they love. Tournaments start in early November, with the state championship set for November 13. The team comprises 15 talented athletes, including six seniors, five juniors, two sophomores, and two freshmen. “Our seniors set the tone and work hard to carry on the legacy and teach the younger girls,” Bryant said. “I applaud our seniors for their efforts and how they reach back to continue traditions. Bryant said the support of the school community and administration also helps Xavier volleyball succeed. “We are so grateful for our Athletic Director Sister Lynn Winsor, Principal Sister Joan Nuckols, and President Sister Joan Fitzgerald, who all provide strong guidance for girls in the classroom and competitive arena of sports.” Academics play a role in success of volleyball team Do you know a teacher who really makes a Difference? It’s easy to recognize and nominate your favorite teacher for Teachers We Love! Nominate a teacher online at www.arcadianews.com Winning teachers will receive recognition in an upcoming issue of the Arcadia News and special prizes. Thank you to our sponsors: Are you at risk for stroke or cardiovascular disease? Screenings are easy, painless and non-invasive. Call Life Line Screening at 833-335-0203 Special O ff er for Readers 5 screening package for $149 R