Same takes from Beverly once again

For years, Samo and Beverly High School have had an infamous rivalry that has caused a deep divide between the two Westside schools and their students. Regardless of the reasons it sparked, most can agree that the feud affects most athletes at both schools, since sports games are the primary way the rivals come in contact with one another. This August, former Beverly High student Chantal Moawad (’20), transferred to Samo and now plays varsity on both our girls’ basketball and volleyball teams. The 6’1” junior left her familiar school for better athletic and academic environments. “I was having problems with the teachers and the athletics. I needed to go to a school that will challenge me in both areas and offer me more opportunities,” Moawad said.Moawad has been playing basketball since she was five years old. Her father introduced her to the game as soon as she was old enough to hold a ball. When she got to high school, she wanted to try a new sport. She chose volleyball, and has excelled in both sports.Moawad’s height and athleticism helps her exceed in both sports, factors that gave her a reason to transfer into Samo’s reputable sports program. The junior plays middle blocker in volleyball and forward in basketball. However, she admits that the latter is her strongest. “I’m definitely better at basketball because I’ve been playing it longer and I play it on the off-season,” she said. Despite her talent, Moawad was restricted from the volleyball and basketball courts while she waited for her previous school to sign her transfer papers. However, Beverly High refused to do so for what she says are “frivolous and fabricated” reasons. The 30-day period is now over, meaning Moawad is automatically cleared to play. “They’re claiming I was recruited by the coach which is against CIF rules, but that is not why I left the school. I was just unhappy at Beverly before,” Moawad said. Besides the minor problem the athlete faced, she is happy with her new school. She says the energy of both the social and academic environments is good, and she now has an opportunity to grow and improve as an athlete.