Relationships and How To Keep Them

By: Aspen Whitehead

For high school students, balancing family, school, and sports can be tough. Having too much on your plate at one time can get frustrating and overwhelming.

I interviewed Dimitri Sereleas, who gave a few tips he’s picked up after the 3 years he has been here at LWC. Dimitri was on the JV1 boy’s soccer team and was the kicker on the varsity football team. “Sports during the fall definitely took up a lot of my time, I just love playing them so much that I don’t mind the effect they have on me,” Sereleas tells. With all the school and sports, making time on a weekday for family can be difficult. “My family does a good job of eating together so that’s where we all catch-up.”

Even then, it can still pose as a struggle to find a reasonable amount of time for family in the never ending weekdays of a high schooler. Dimitri’s little brother Alex also attends LWC, he is a sophomore. “I drive him to school every day,” the oldest Sereleas says, “whether he has to be early, I have to be early and I drag him with me, or if we both leave at the same time, he’s always with me.”  Having to drive a little sibling to school every day may seem obnoxious to you, but not to Sereleas. “I don’t mind actually, he is good company.” Alex was also on the JV1 boy’s soccer team in the fall with his brother, so seeing each other doesn’t seem to pose an issue. “I see him in the hallway too, but I see him enough between home and practice, that we don’t mind the distance during the days,” Sereleas tells me, the brotherly love the two share being very obvious.

Many freshmen are still learning how to finish homework, study, and keep up with their social lives while leaving time for family. However, Sereleas says his family has agreed upon asystem. “I usually study in my room on my bed because that’s where I am most comfortable. My family knows that I have to be alone when I study, but I do take a break to relax with all of them for a portion of the night.” Being in high school can affect family relations greatly, whether that be positive or negative, it is bound to happen at some point. “High School has been nothing but positive in terms of family bonding. My family is always at my football and soccer games, and I try my best to find them in the stands.”

Being so close with family can pose a struggle with college choices as well, and as a junior, college isn’t far away for Sereleas. “They keep me on track with colleges and other extracurricular things. I am pretty lucky to have such a supportive family.” Family may have a big part in many people’s opinions of colleges, price options aside, the distance between home and school can have a large impact on student and family alike. “Obviously they do have a say, but in the end, if I can, I will go where I want to go no matter the distance. In a new life, the distance will be just one of the many things I must tackle on my own.”