By Quinn Lyons ‘25

Walking through the doors of Brother Rice as a high school senior was almost surreal to me. It was bittersweet to say the least. I was excited for the year ahead, stoked for the endless opportunities it presented. But then I was sad my time as a Crusader was coming to an end.

I have made so many amazing memories and friendships in my time here at Rice. I am eternally grateful for what this place has to offer and what I have learned along the way.

After spending all summer training for the upcoming football season, it seemed to fly by faster than any of us expected. I had been an athlete my whole life; all I had known was sports. What was there to do now?

As I came to the conclusion that I was no longer an athlete, I had to figure out ways to spend my time after school. It wasn’t that I lacked purpose; I just had no direction and no idea where I was going.

In the weeks leading up to Christmas break, I was asked to be a leader on Kairos 170. This was the absolute highlight of my senior year. I had been on Kairos as a candidate the year prior, and I had been itching to go back and be a leader.

The best part of Kairos 170 was not just the people around me, but the way I found myself. I really can’t describe in words what happened on that retreat. What I can say is that it changed me completely, and I will never forget what happened those four days.

After the retreat, I think it finally sunk in that this was it. My high school days were coming to an abrupt end, and it was time to make the best of it.

The winter was full of excitement in the walls of 99th and Pulaski. Our basketball team was one of the best in the state and broke numerous records. Not only did I get to watch games as part of the Crusader Crazies, I also got to call them inside the BRTV booth.

I called many exhilarating games in my time as a broadcaster. There were two games this year that were just a little more special to me.

I got to call a game on national television, on the Marquee Sports Network. It was awesome, but my favorite game was the semifinal that I called. In one of the most exciting games of the season, the Crusaders came out on top. I saw it as the send-off to my BRTV career. It was an almost perfect ending.

The best of my Brother Rice days are still yet to come. With prom, graduation, and my last summer with my hometown friends in my future, excitement is an understatement.

My advice to younger Crusaders is to soak it all in. Make the best of your time at Brother Rice; this place is truly special. You will never realize what you have until it’s gone, so bet on yourself and become something great in this school.

If I could go back and do it all again, I don’t think I would change what happened. Sure there were a few bumps in the road, but I am better because of them.

I will forever be a Crusader. Thank you, Brother Rice.