The following story was written by Kendall Foglia as part of the Journalism Foundations first semester exam. These are the first profiles these students have written. 

Sitting alone at recess one day, young Irene Park watched as all of the other kids played and had fun, when fellow third grader named Angelina Nguyen approached her and asked if she wanted to join a game of tag.

Ever since that day, the two have been best friends. Today, they are sophomores who are attending different high schools, but despite the distance they remain inseparable.

“We can go months without talking, but the two of us will always know that we are best friends,” Nguyen said. 

They have maintained a healthy friendship over the past seven years, and have managed to avoid having any major fights.

“We really just do what we can to stay out of drama,” Nguyen said. “Minding our own business is much more peaceful than involving ourselves.”

They have always been very conscious about maintaining a friendship that is built on only the two of them. Nguyen knows that their relationship is healthier this way.

“If we were to have a third friend, I think that they would just feel left out most of the time,” Nguyen said. “I don’t want anyone to feel like a third wheel.”

Eating is one of their favorite things to do when they’re together. They know that they can eat however much of whatever they want without the other person judging them.

“Our favorite place to eat is definitely Wingstop,” Nguyen said. “We have this tradition of doing ‘cheers’ together before we eat anything.”

When Irene and Nguyen want to do more active activities, they like to play soccer or go to Cowabunga Canyon together. 

“Going on water slides and passing a soccer ball around are things that we always did together as kids, and I guess that those hobbies never wore off,” Nguyen said. 

She knows that she can be herself around Irene without being ashamed. They have been close for so long that the line between what is ‘too personal’ is not a thing.

“Irene is so confident in who she is that she never feels the need to judge,” Nguyen said. “It’s what makes me so comfortable around her.”

Unfortunately, once high school rolled around they were separated. Nguyen went to attend Southwest Technical and Career Academy, while Irene chose to go to her zone school; Clark High School.

“I definitely miss hanging out as much as we used to,” Nguyen said. “But I know that going to different schools won’t get between us.”