“We’re moving.”

These words rang through Lucas Gerda-Perez’s ears at the end of his eighth grade year. Attending Southview Middle School in Edina, Minnesota for his young life, Gerda-Perez was shocked when his parents delivered the news that he was to move back to Seattle with them before his freshman year of high school.

All of the things he has become comfortable with, his friends, and most importantly his ice hockey team, were about to change forever.

As a child, Gerda-Perez lived in Seattle until he was two. Moving away to Minnesota this young, he had no memory of his brief time in the Emerald City. Moving back in August, he had little time to adjust to life in Seattle before being thrown into the similarly unfamiliar world of high school. At first, he didn’t know how to adjust to all the new things around him, but then Gerda-Perez decided to run cross country for Blanchet.

The cross country team meets throughout the summer and in the fall sports season. He saw this sport as a good opportunity to meet people, stay in shape, and acclimate himself to his new environment. The natural-born athlete excelled in running, and placed in the top 20 runners in his first 2-mile course.

Once school began, it was only a couple of days before Gerda-Perez was comfortable with his new friends.

“The transition was at first a little scary,” said Gerda-Perez. “I didn’t know how high school was going to be. I soon grew comfortable with Blanchet after just the first week.”

Once he adjusted to high school, Gerda-Perez found adjusting to Seattle easier as well. He found a new hockey team based out of the Lynnwood Ice Center. He plays the position center, and enjoys his new team almost as much as his old one. Aside from hockey, Gerda-Perez also played JV baseball for Blanchet as well as for a club team. His involvement in many activities, along with his outgoing personality, has earned Gerda-Perez many friends in his new home.

“Coming from Minnesota was scary at first, but I am glad I came,” said Gerda-Perez. “I have met some of the best friends I will ever have in Seattle, and I am very thankful that I moved here.”