HOLLY POND, Ala. — Holly Pond senior Diego Arreguin collected his diploma in May, and in this interview, he looked back at some of his favorite sports memories that he made alongside some great teammates and friends.
“My best memories were usually from the practices. Some days were better than others but always being with the guys made even the bad days better. We were having fun and goofing off, but we were trying to get better. We always had fun,” Arreguin said. “It was awesome being around some great teammates and friends. We were always cutting up and goofing off. That’s what I enjoyed the most, but we were also pushing each other to get better in whatever sport was going on at that time. We held each other accountable. I learned to have fun. Life’s too short to let things drag you down or be so serious. I also learned accountability from them. We depended on each other, whether it was sports or in the classroom. We all helped each other out. Another thing that I learned from being around them is support. We all supported and helped each other out.”
Diego played under some coaches during his career and soaked up as much as he could from each of them. He talked about some of his favorite games that he participated in during his playing days.
“It was a great experience, and it was usually a different experience each year for us at Holly Pond. One thing that stood out from every single coach was that they all said the same thing, ‘Do the little things right’. Any sport I played in, they all said that same thing, and it makes sense from sports to life in general. In order to accomplish anything, whether it’s your goals or getting anything accomplished, you have to do the little things right: showing up, being on time, trying, paying attention, and being held accountable,” Arreguin said. “One of my favorite games that I played in was our basketball game against Hanceville my senior year, and during my sophomore year, I played under coach Cory Glasscock in a few games in basketball.”
Diego will miss playing at Holly Pond this upcoming year, and he shared some of his favorite high school memories.
“I’ll remember and miss the support by the families, the community, and the school. They always supported us and provided for us, even when we were having some rough seasons. I’ll always remember how they poured into us, and they always helped us out,” Arreguin said. “My favorite high school memories were when I was always finding a way to get out of class (laughs), whether it was to help around the school or be involved, or even just to get out and have fun.”
He had a blast being a Bronco, and he will deeply miss being there in August.
“What made Holly Pond a special place to go to was the environment. Everyone is loved, and the community showed the love also. It’s a small town with much love,” he said. “I will remember and miss hanging out and having fun with my friends, how my teachers made me feel loved, and being involved in a lot of activities and events at the school and just mainly having as much fun as possible.”
Diego gave some advice to the students that will be entering high school in August. It’s important to him to be a role model for kids, in and outside of sports.
“Have fun. Make the most out of your time in high school, because it goes by so quick. Have fun, and also, develop a relationship with Christ,” he said. “It’s a blessing to me. To make an impact on an upcoming generation is a blessing. I wanted to try to lead them and be a role model so that they can be the best they can be. It also helps in a way to hold me accountable so I can be the best I can, because others and especially kids are looking up to me and watching me.”
In addition to sports, Diego participated in a couple of clubs at Holly Pond, and he had an amazing time with those as well. God has played a huge role in his life, and he shared a couple of his favorite Bible verses.
“I was in the Key Club and the FFA. It was fun, especially the Key Club. I loved being able to help out, whether it’s in the community or for school events. It was fun to be able to help out and be a part of it,” he said. “God has played a major role in my life. I wouldn’t be in the position I am now without Him. He has blessed me in so many ways. He has given me many opportunities to be the light to so many people and show them how much Jesus has changed my life,” Diego said. “One of my favorite Bible verses is 1 Corinthians 15:57: ‘Thanks be to God, who gives us victory through our Lord Jesus Christ’. This was the first verse that I ever learned, and it means a lot to me. It basically means that we should thank God for sending his son Jesus to pay the ultimate sacrifice so that we could have ‘the victory’, which means the victory in knowing God and having a chance to go to Heaven. Another verse that I really like is 1 John 4:7: ‘Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God’. I try to live my best life by this verse in trying to love and show kindness to others.”
Diego has learned a lot during his journey so far.
“I have learned that it is not easy. There are times where you stumble, have a bad day or week, and go into a slump, but I have also learned that He loves us so much. Every time we fall, He is always there to catch us, and we have to always focus on Him. No matter how many times we have sinned, Jesus will always love us. He died and paid the sacrifice for our sins. He loves us so much, and He will forgive us if we truly repent and trust in Him.”
Copyright 2025 Humble Roots, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
