“I was planning on going to college, and now I’m committed to Contra Costa College,” said senior Giovanni “Gio” Zarate, who will be playing soccer for the school’s team with fellow Royal Ivan Salamanca.

Zarate has attended Armijo since his freshman year and has been very involved in the soccer program, despite the challenges faced during the pandemic. “I don’t know if I’m going to be a pro-soccer player or an {automotive} technician,” he said. “Only time will tell.”

As he is preparing to graduate in June, Zarate said that he will miss his teachers the most. “My favorite memory is being cool with my teachers,” he said, “and being champions for Armijo soccer.

He offered this advice to those he will leave behind: “Try your best to avoid procrastination.”