Blog

Fremont Christian School proudly spotlights two exceptional seniors, Ethan Wroten and Hannah Raboca, who have demonstrated remarkable dedication and passion in their academic and athletic pursuits. Their love for sports has led both students—who also happen to be close friends—to focus on kinesiology in their college careers. 

Discovering a Love for New Sports

Ethan began Fremont Christian School (FCS) in 7th grade, when he transferred from Prince of Peace Christian School. His transition to FCS was marked by his immediate involvement in the school's athletic programs, beginning with baseball. Despite joining mid-season, Ethan found a welcoming environment and quickly adapted to his new team.

Baseball, a sport not offered at his previous school, was just the beginning. The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic brought challenges, but Ethan continued to participate in sports, highlighting his resilience and adaptability. Over the years, he discovered his true passion for volleyball and soccer, eventually choosing to focus on these sports by his sophomore year. Junior year saw Ethan balancing soccer, basketball, and volleyball, though he admitted that basketball was particularly demanding.

In his senior year, Ethan decided to concentrate on soccer and volleyball, opting to leave basketball behind due to his growing interest in other sports. Reflecting on his journey, Ethan emphasized the importance of enjoying the sports he played and the camaraderie with his teammates. "I've enjoyed every moment of it. It’s been great having great coaches and great teammates," he said, encapsulating his positive experience at FCS.

Ethan was named one of FCS’s Athletes of the Year, an honor granted by the Athletic Department to athletes who best fulfill all the qualities of the Warrior Athlete. An ACSI Distinguished Christian High School Student, Ethan was named an All-League Player by the Bay Area Conference/Bay Counties League and also received the gold President’s Education Award, awarded by the U.S. Department of Education to students who maintain a grade point average of 3.5 or higher and who score in the 85th percentile or greater in English or math on a nationally recognized test. Additionally, he is a recipient of the Vangie and Mike Lopez Scholarship, which was initiated to reward and encourage students who have been active and positive contributors to the FCS community, and the Leroy Cloud Scholarship, bestowed upon a student who best demonstrates Christ’s indwelling presence, shows spiritual maturity to the community, and plans to attend a Christian college or university.

He will be attending Westmont College in Santa Barbara, which his sister currently attends. After obtaining his degree in kinesiology, he hopes to work in physical therapy.

Balancing Athletics and Academics

Our other Athlete of the Year, Hannah has a long history with the school, having started at FCS in third grade. Her introduction to sports was influenced by her brother, leading her to start playing basketball in fourth grade. Over the years, she explored other sports such as soccer but ultimately found her first love in basketball.

Apart from sports, Hannah has a deep passion for music. She participated in the school choir and band, playing the trumpet and later the tuba. Her involvement in music provided a creative outlet and a different kind of team experience, enriching her high school journey.

In her senior year, Hannah decided to try volleyball, a sport she had previously avoided. To her surprise, she enjoyed it immensely and wished she had started earlier. Looking ahead, Hannah is committed to attending George Fox University in Oregon, where she plans to study kinesiology. Her interest in this field was sparked by her experiences in sports and her desire to help other athletes.

Hannah learned valuable lessons about teamwork, communication, and the importance of enjoying the game rather than playing for the audience. She advises younger students to "get out of your head and not play for the people in the stands," emphasizing playing for the love of the sport and for the glory of God. Expressing gratitude, Hannah thanked her family, especially her sister, who was her biggest cheerleader, and her coaches for their support and guidance throughout her athletic journey.

Hannah lettered in vocal music, basketball, soccer, and volleyball, was named an All-League Player for all three sports, and was recognized as an ACSI Distinguished Christian High School Student in academics, athletics, and Christian service.

The stories of Ethan and Hannah highlight the diverse experiences and growth that come from participating in athletics at FCS. Their dedication, resilience, and passion serve as an inspiration to their peers and future students, showcasing the profound impact of sports on their personal and academic development. Fremont Christian School celebrates these remarkable students and wishes them continued success in their future endeavors.