Our next Senior Scholar Athlete Spotlight is on Tiara Hopkins Butler. Tiara played four years with our girls basketball team and also ran three years of track. Throughout high school, she has been proud to contribute to successful athletic teams and grow as a competitor. In basketball, her freshman year, the team finished as state runner-up, her sophomore year they won the state championship, and her junior year they advanced to the Final Four. In track and field, her sophomore year, she earned All-State honors by placing sixth in two relay events, and her team also broke the school record in the 4x4 relay. Her favorite moment with the basketball team was during our practices when they had music playing, and everyone was locked in. The energy was always high, and everyone worked hard, hustled, and gave their best effort. At the same time, they were able to have fun, vibe together, and enjoy being around each other. Those moments were special because everyone’s true personalities came out, and it showed how close we were as a team. Tiara's favorite memory as a Laker on the track team was going to state. It was a fun experience because they got to eat out, visit a few stores, and spend time together outside of competition. Being out of town with her teammates and coaches made it even more special and created memories she will always remember. Next year, Tiara plans to major in physics while pursuing a career in sports medicine. She also hopes to continue her basketball journey by playing at Clark Atlanta University. Studying physics will help her better understand movement, performance, and the science behind the human body, which connects directly to sports medicine. As a student-athlete, she wants to combine her passion for basketball with her interest in helping athletes stay healthy and perform at their best. What Tiara will miss most about West Bloomfield High School and athletics is the people and the experiences that made it feel like home. She will especially miss being around our athletic trainer, who was always kind, fun, and taught her a lot through everything she did. Tiara will also miss the students, teachers, and the overall environment that made school enjoyable, even during challenging times. Most of all, she thinks she will miss the feeling of simply being a kid and making memories along the way. Congratulations! Go Lakers!!