As the season transitions from fall’s vibrant leaves to winter’s first snowfall, the U-19 soccer team has also shifted our warm-up music. Typically, our warm-up playlist consists of high-energy rap songs, with various players taking turns selecting songs. Occasionally, Spanish-speaking players will play Spanish music, though two-thirds of the team would remain quiet, unfamiliar with the lyrics. Most of the time, though, rap dominates, keeping everyone hyped. Yet, on rare occasions, ETA by NewJeans makes its way onto the playlist, acknowledging the South Korean players on the team and welcoming our diversity. Despite our different languages, upbringings, and perspectives, music becomes a shared language that brings us closer.
Recently, the squad’s playlist took a festive turn with the first snowfall of the 2024-25 school year. The team burst into holiday spirit with Christmas music, celebrating the changing season. Songs like “All I Want for Christmas Is You” by Mariah Carey and “Santa Tell Me” By Ariana Grande set a joyful tone and brought a sense of unity to the team. The familiar jingles and upbeat melodies filled the field with anticipation, reminding us that the holidays were approaching. The playful, light-hearted songs fueled our spirits, making warm-ups feel less like preparation and more like a shared experience of excitement, where we would sing along, and count down the days until our holiday wishes would come true.
