By Candice Tran
The clock is ticking down—the curtains are lifting. The sound of the crowd resonates through the arena and onto the stage where the game commences—where the story begins.
Standing at a whopping 6’3”, sophomore Karley Waite has thrived in the spotlight on the stage and the basketball court. Not only does she sing and dance in shows for theater, she has also made her way to the starting lineup as a Center on the varsity basketball team in her sophomore year.
Waite began playing basketball for the first time in her freshman year, but has had one of the fastest growths in the program. Her teammates voted her for Most Improved Player two years in a row, showing the hours she has poured into the game. She was also selected to be part of the All Tournament Team during the Glenn/Norwalk tournament at John Glenn High School.
Playing the game is great and all, but Waite indulges in being able to cheer for her teammates from the bench, yelling until her lungs burst.
“I joined [basketball] because I wanted to make new friends and be able to experience being part of a team,” Waite said.
On the other hand, Waite took up dancing when she was 4-years-old and it remains her favorite aspect of performing. She decided to try theater coming into Fountain Valley High School (FVHS) along with her older brother and continued to participate in the school musicals because of how exciting and entertaining it is. Currently, Waite is working on the musical, Chicago, at school as part of the Ensemble team.
Previously, she participated in musicals like The Little Mermaid as one of the sisters, in Willy Wonka as Ms. TV, as a hyena and lioness in The Lion King and as a genie in Aladdin.
“What I like so much about theater is how it incorporates dance as well,” Waite said. “[I] also [like] being able to be a part of an environment that is fun and uplifting.”
Joining theater and basketball have immensely improved Waite’s confidence and freedom to express herself. These have simultaneously allowed her to create lifelong friendships and experiences that will stick with her forever.
“Honestly, it was an easy transition into basketball because everyone was so nice and welcoming,” Waite said. “The coaches were great and they taught me a lot and they made the experience that much more fun.”
As a multifaceted student at FVHS, Waite is expected to lead an extraordinary life of adventure, but at home, she prefers to spend time with her family, friends and those she loves because they are the most important to her.
Being a part of theater and basketball have shaped Waite’s life in crazy, unexpected ways, but she wouldn’t change a single scene in her play.
“Theater has made me be more expressive with myself and outgoing and open towards people,” Waite said. “I feel basketball has made me appreciate my height more and be more confident with myself.”
