Dec. 17, 2011 marks a day that Tristan Gasperian’s life changed forever; his number one fan was no longer cheering him on from the stands, his best friend and role model was no longer there to stand by his side.

The captain of the football team lost his father as a sophomore, just two years ago, from a bodily infection that spread from his leg into his entire body.

Also known as “The Tank,” Gasperian attributes his success and determination to his deceased father: “Everything I do is to make him proud. I know he’s out there watching somewhere.”

It is safe to say that Gasperian is a well known figure around campus, and according to junior Antonio Baltidanto, “He is really outgoing and represents our school as a whole.” In addition to being captain of the football team, Gasperian is senior class president as well as an MC for school assemblies, rallies, and lunch-time activities.

Varsity Football Coach Marcus Farhad “saw that Tristan’s lost left a big void in his life.” Even after Gasperian’s loss, according to Farhad, “He has a lot of character, still, is quite comical, and a player that the whole team loves.”

Gasperian said, “Everyday I think about him, he is what keeps me motivated.”

Teammate of The Tank, Junior Dominic Blanks said, “Tristan is a positive role model, he’s involved with the school and is a good example.”

Gasperian last said, “During my sophomore year, my dad left the hospital to come watch me play for the last time, I remember seeing him in the stands… Now every game I play it as if it was the last game my dad would see.”