When Trojan Candy arrived for the Women of Troy Volleyball Awards Brunch, the Galen Center Founder's Room was already buzzing with activity. The entire Women of Troy Volleyball Team was standing together near the entrance.
I saw Junior Khalia Lanier and asked if I could take her picture and interview her. Khalia smiled for my picture. She is majoring in Human Biology. Khalia's hobby is watching movies. Her favorite movies are Psychological thrillers and dramas. She likes the Life of Pi the most. Khalia's favorite food is her mom's steak. Her favorite music is R&B and Rap. I asked her if she likes to dance, and Khalia told me that she doesn't dance that well. But she sure plays volleyball well! Lastly, I asked if she had a "fun fact" about herself. A teammate told Trojan Candy that Khalia's dad Bob Lanier is a better cook than Khalia. That comment put another smile on Khalia's face! FIGHT ON, Khalia!
Trojan Candy took pictures of the four senior jerseys.
Trojan Candy finally sat down at her table. Sitting there were three teammates. They were Raquel Lazaro, Brooklyn Schirmer and Ashley Humphreys. Naturally, I intended to interview each one of them.
Raquel Lazaro was sitting next to me, so Trojan Candy interviewed her first. Raquel is a Freshman and is undecided in her major. She is from Malaga, Spain. Raquel began playing volleyball when she was eleven years old. More personally, Raquel's favorite food is her mom's macaroni. She likes Latin music and the musical style Reggaeton. No wonder that Raquel told me that she likes to dance! FIGHT ON, Raquel!
Trojan Candy interviewed freshman Brooklyn Schirmer next. She is from Long Beach and is majoring in Real Estate. Her hobbies are dancing and Polynesian dancing. Brooklyn's favorite food is ribs. She likes R&B music the most. When I asked her why she chose USC, Brooklyn said that "USC was always my dream school." Brooklyn told me that four other members of her family are also Trojans. Her Uncle Titus Tuiasosopo was a football guard at USC. Brooklyn's brother Bernard Schirmer a tackle and her cousin Vavae Malepeai a tailback, are current football players at USC. Her cousin Blake Sabol is a current baseball player at USC. What an athletic family...and they're all Trojans! FIGHT ON, Brooklyn!
The winners were Reni Meyer-Whalley, Spirit of Troy; Victoria Garrick, Best Passer/Digger; Emily Baptista, Best Attacker; Khalia Lanier, Best Server; Jasmine Gross, Best Blocker; Brooke Botkin, MVP Award; and Raquel Lazaro, Best Setter and Freshman of the Year.
In the front row are Reagan LeGrand, Reni Meyer-Whalley and Cindy Marina. Back row: Victoria Garrick, Emily Baptista, Khalia Lanier, Brittany Welsh, Jasmine Gross, Brooke Botkin, Raquel Lazaro, Ashley Humphreys, Jenna Adams, Brooklyn Schirmer, Madison Murtagh and Coach Brent Crouch.
Luckily, after Trojan Candy took the picture of Brooke and Katie, I was able to interview Brooke. Brooke Botkin is majoring in Communication. She played soccer first and then started playing volleyball in the eighth grade. Her favorite food is Italian, especially ravioli. Brooke likes pop music and her favorite artist is Travis Scott. Her favorite movie is "Blades of Glory." Brooke said if given the opportunity that she would "live" in the water. She loves to kneeboard, water ski and weight board. What an athlete in and out of the water! FIGHT ON, Brooke!
Finally, Trojan Candy was able to take a picture of Madison Murtagh's family. Here are Madison, Tim, Maggie and MacKenzie Murtagh. I got all four senior families!
My final picture was of friends USC Sports Dietitian Becci Twombley, Leland Waters and Becky Gramstrup.
With that, Trojan Candy said "Good night!"