After the Eagles’ basketball team played against Caruthers High School, Fifth Quarter was held at Me-N-Eds Pizzeria, Feb. 1. A sanguine atmosphere welcomed the athletes as well as the fans with warmth and friendliness.

Hosting fifth quarters after sporting events has been one of FC’s high school’s traditions since the fall of 1999. It first began with the girls’ physical education teacher, Eunie McEntee, and former leadership advisor, Christopher Schultz, creating the event to take place after football and basketball games.

During Fifth Quarter, student athletes and fans have the opportunity to connect after the game and celebrate a win or commiserate a loss.

Especially after playing with the jazz band at the basketball game, my stomach was hungry for food and drinks. I certainly enjoyed the meal and spending time with my friends at Fifth Quarter.

Basketball has always been an important part of the FC community. It is one of the reasons that basketball is a sport which many students come out and support than most of the other sports. In addition, students’ cheerful atmosphere with school’s jazz band performances at the basketball games bring fans and athletes altogether.

This is my second year playing music at the home basketball games with the FC jazz band but my first year ever going to the Fifth Quarter. It was a brand new experience because I never felt such bonding with my friends and athletes. Eating delicious pizza was great and even better with my peers around.

I sat next to Daniel Moore, ’14 and David Ryu, ’14, talking about the basketball game. We also discussed about how it is so different in Korea, where I came from, to America. Ryu, a former high school student from Korea, agreed with me that most South Korean high students lack time to enjoy sports events in their schools due to intensive education curriculums.

Typical teenagers in the United States complain that school is hard and boring due to class assignments and homework, including myself. However, compared to the overwhelming academic pressures and tests in Korea, American schools education curriculum gives students more freedom and time to enjoy school events.

For example, in the United States, most high schools end in the afternoon around three or four o’clock. Usually high school students are dismissed out of school at ten o’clock at night in Korea.

Such an exciting event like Fifth Quarter held at our school is just a wishing dream for most Korean students. Therefore, for Korean students like me and Ryu, staying at the Fifth Quarter was an amazing experience.

PODCAST: 5th Quarter tradition rocks FC basketball: Feb. 8 , 2013–

When the fifth quarter was finally over, I was energized and was filled with joy. However, at the same time I mourned for Korean students who were often frustrated by undesirable education curriculum. Overall, Fifth Quarter was great because I was able to bond with others and enjoy the meals.

For more opinions, read the Jan. 25 article, Winter retreat provides spiritual growth, new friendships .