Student in the spotlight: Talia Stein

Photo courtesy of Hope

Senior Talia Stein, also known as T or T-Swizz, is the outgoing, bold, funny and vibrant girl who makes everyone’s day better just by being in it. T has attended Cascade High School (CHS), off and on since her freshman year; when she isn’t physically in the halls, she is traveling around the world playing hockey.  

Stein has been participating in travel hockey since 7th grade. Stein started her travel hockey experience in Seattle, Washington, where she played for three years, and at the ripe age of 15 she took her adventure even further and moved to New Jersey. She trained on the ice for 25 hours a week.  Her devotion and hard work helped her to improve her skills. 

By attending school, traveling and playing her favorite sport, Stein has developed the noteworthy characteristics of responsibility, determination and motivation, and it shows in everything she does. She is extremely athletic: when she isn’t playing hockey in the winter, she plays softball in the spring. Being a multi-sport athlete is a lot to manage but with her determination and perseverance, she makes it work. 

Although Stein is a busy person, she always makes time for her friends. Her unique personality has brought her these friendships and connections throughout her time in high school.  

“Talia lights up every room she walks into and is my biggest cheerleader,” Harper Robbins (12) said.  

She’s always there for the ones who need her and is a consistent cheerleader to all her peers.  

“Anytime I need advice or someone to turn to I immediately text T, she’s just one of those people that makes everything better when she’s around me and I don’t know what I’m going to do without her,” Sydney Melody (9) said.

“Anytime I need advice or someone to turn to I immediately text T, she’s just one of those people that makes everything better when she’s around me and I don’t know what I’m going to do without her,” Sydney Melody (9) said.  

Stein is one of those people who is willing to drop anything for those that she loves, whether that’s friends, family or peers. Stein has made connections with people from all over the world while she traveled. She has had many new experiences and exhilarating experiences over the years; she has even been in contact with and has got professional hockey players' numbers. In 2024, Talia flew all the way to Sweden for hockey. While she was over there, she learned how to say different words in Swedish and learned how to make different Swedish meals. 

Along with making many relationships and connections throughout her time at Cascade, she has created many memories.  

“My favorite memory is my freshman year softball season and sophomore homecoming, because I was the closest with that senior class and it was fun to experience high school events and sports with them,” Stein said.  

Over the years there have been many memorable moments for Stein and those who are around her. Robbins favorite memory of T is “going car camping with her in the summer, because we had a great time.”  

Stein has blessed so many of us with multiple  laughs, smiles and a positive attitude throughout the years. Along with the memories, she has also had some regrets throughout high school, “I regret not being able to experience football season or the Chelan Fair because I was in Jersey playing hockey,” Stein said. 

 Even though she has regrets throughout high school, her teenage years have also been very fulfilled. “I’m overly blessed and lucky to be given the experiences I’ve been given,” Stein said.  

As the end of the year creeps closer, the time ticks until Stein walks across the stage and goes off to start her future. She is getting ready to leave after graduation and many are realizing that the halls and classes won’t be the same without her: the halls won’t be filled with her loud voice, random screams or her funny jokes. “Talia is unique, because of her ambitious energy and how she is always looking out for her friends. The thing I’m going to miss the most about her is her golf taxi and her positive energy,” Shane Slette (12) said. 

After graduation Stein plans on staying here for most of the summer but then she’s going to Boston to play D3 hockey at Suffolk University. Not only will she be playing hockey at college, but she plans on majoring in Sports Management and eventually wants to become a sport agent. Her teachers, friends and family are all very proud of how much she has already accomplished. No one wants to think about how in just a couple of months Stein  will no longer be in our presence. Talia will be missed, yet celebrated, throughout everything she does in and after college. Stein will be leaving many eyes filled with tears as she walks the stage entering her new chapter in life: no one is ready to see her go.  This place will never feel the same without her here.