Two of women's sports' greatest athletes along with enthusiastic student body let 15-year-old Olympic figure skater know that they believe in her.
Mitty sophomore and Olympic figure skater Polina Edmunds told her student body she will be thinking of them in Sochi, Russia, site of the 2014 Winter Olympics.
Photo by Samuel Stringer
There are sendoffs. Then, there are blastoffs.
The one
Archbishop Mitty (San Jose, Calif.) gave its 15-year-old Olympic figure skater Polina Edmunds Friday in a packed and raucous school gymnasium definitely qualified as the latter.
The crowd and two of sport's most iconic female athletes — and Mitty graduates — had Edmunds beaming with joy and gratitude. Olympic gold medalists Brandi Chastain (soccer) and Kerri Walsh-Jennings (volleyball), along with a song and robust "USA" chants from a spirited student body, feted the local star.
The outpouring of love, support, pride and togetherness was palpable during the hour-long school ceremony, and that was followed by a 20-minute press conference.
Edmunds, clad in blue jeans, white tennis shoes and a matching USA sweatshirt, finished second in the U.S. Championships earlier this month in Boston. She is by far the youngest member of the team, along with Ashley Wagner, 22, and Gracie Gold, 18.
"This is really crazy right now," said the 5-foot-4, 98-pound sophomore at the rally. "I'm shaking. … I've been working at this so hard and so long and now I'm going to the Olympics. It means so much to me to have you guys supporting me and being behind me.
"When I was named to the team and I came back to Mitty, everyone was so enthusiastic and that made me so excited. Thank you for that."
This tremendous slideshow by MaxPreps Bay Area photographer Sam Stringer is a blastoff to our readers as well.
Next week we will begin a two-week barrage of features, profiles and stories related to the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi as they relate to high school athletics.
A feature on the effervescent Edmunds is scheduled for Feb. 15. Enjoy the show and, for now, enjoy Stringer's work.
Mitty's loud and enthusiastic student body broke out into cheers of "USA! USA! USA!" more than once.
Photo by Samuel Stringer
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News crews arrived more than an hour early for the 9 a.m. pep rally for Mitty Olympic figure skater Polina Edmunds.
Photo by Samuel Stringer
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The sign says it all.
Photo by Samuel Stringer
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Team Polina, clad in bright red, flash their color and support in Friday's sendoff for Polina Edmunds at Mitty High School.
Photo by Samuel Stringer
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Cameras were following Polina Edmunds' every move.
Photo by Sam Stringer
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Soccer great Brandi Chastain gave her 1996 Olympic pin to sophomore skater Polina Edmunds. "Good luck and be fearless," she told the 15-year-old.
Photo by Samuel Stringer
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1996 Mitty graduate and four-time Olympic gold medalist Kerry Walsh-Jennings.
Photo by Samuel Stringer
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Kerri Walsh-Jennings waves as Polina Edmunds and Brandi Chastain look on behind. She told Edmunds: "Everything you need is already inside of you."
Photo by Samuel Stringer
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Mitty student body president Michael Lehr leads everyone in a cheer of "We Believe," at Friday's school rally for Polina Edmunds.
Photo by Samuel Stringer
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Polina Edmunds wasn't bashful approaching the podium in front of almost 2,000 of her classmates Friday.
Photo by Samuel Stringer
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The Mitty student body sang a moving rendition of "I Lived," which was played by school band "Exodus."
Photo by Samuel Stringer
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Mitty sophomore Polina Edmunds checks out a goodie bag given by her school's student body.
Photo by Samuel Stringer
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Mitty sophomore and Olympic skater Polina Edmunds is joined by Kerri Walsh-Jennings (left), Brandi Chastain and her son Jaden. Chastain graduated from Mitty in 1986, Walsh in 1996 and Edmunds is scheduled to graduate in 2016.
Photo by Samuel Stringer
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Polina Edmunds' coach David Glynn. He said he wasn't surprised his prized pupil made it: "She is a relentless worker and a beautiful skater."
Photo by Samuel Stringer
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Kerri Walsh-Jennings, Polina Edmunds and Brandi Chastain are engulfed by photo takers and autograph seekers following Friday's pep rally.
Photo by Samuel Stringer
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Polina Edmunds is flanked by her parents Nina and John Edmunds.
Photo by Samuel Stringer
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Polina Edmunds hopes to follow in the footsteps of Chastain and Walsh-Jennings and bring home a medal.
Photo by Samuel Stringer
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With coach David Glynn speaking at the microphone, Kerri Walsh-Jennings gives Polina Edmunds one last hug and good-luck wish before the 15-year-old leaves for Sochi.
By Samuel Stringer
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Polina Edmunds gladly answers questions from the press. Her advice to other potential Olympians: "Work hard and believe that you can do it because anything can happen."
Photo by Samuel Stringer
