Many people have a time in history they want to live in. Whether it’s the roaring ‘20s with Gatsby-style parties or the ‘80s as portrayed in “The Breakfast Club,” other decades seem to have more of an appeal than the current one.

We are so caught up with wanting to be in a time with “history in the making” that we forget to see the history forming right before our very eyes.

People don’t usually think of the time they are living in now as history. We live our lives day to day, not stopping to think about how one day, this age will be reduced to numbers and notable events for a future student to come across in a textbook (Or, more likely, on the Internet).

As we near the end of 2014, we can reflect on all the triumphs and failures of this important year. Looking back, we see the events here at BV and nationally that will define us throughout the ages.

NEWS

As of Dec. 5, 34 states had lifted bans on gay marriage.

Eighty-two percent of BV students approve of the new gay marriage laws.

“As a kid, I went to a camp every summer that really emphasized how bad and amoral [homosexuality] is. But, now that I have friends who are gay, it just feels wrong that they shouldn’t be allowed to experience the kind of legal companionship that straight people do.” — Senior Gabby Gunnerson

2014 BV News

Late student Reat Underwood was killed in a hate crime at the Jewish Community Center in April.

“I certainly enjoyed every minute I worked with him. He was an outgoing kid. You know the cliché, ‘He gives 100 percent every time’? That was Reat. He was active and always involved and did everything to his fullest.” — Debate teacher Chris Riffer

2014 News Worldwide

The Ebola virus outbreak in West Africa killed 6,113 people as of Dec. 5.

Malaysian Airlines Flight 370 disappeared in March 2014 and has still not been found as of Dec. 5.

The Islamic State (ISIS/ISIL) murdered four journalists on Nov. 4 and five on Nov. 6 in Mosul, Iraq.

More than 200 Nigerian schoolgirls were kidnapped in April by a terrorist group known as Boko Haram.

POP CULTURE

Popularity of superhero movies skyrocketed with the release of five live-action films — “Captain America: The Winter Soldier,” “Guardians of the Galaxy,” “The Amazing Spider-Man 2,” “X-Men Days of Future Past” and “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” — and the announcement of three more in 2015. 

Sixty-three percent of BV students liked the new superhero movies released in 2014.

“I think [the movies] are pretty great, but at the same time, they are a little overdone compared to the original ones. I think they are pretty sweet, though. Plus [the actors] are all ripped and handsome.” — Junior Cam Smith 

Premieres of “How to Get Away with Murder,” “Red Band Society” and “Gotham” gain national attention.

New seasons of “American Horror Story,” “The Walking Dead” and “Once Upon a Time” spark students’ interests. 

“‘Once Upon a Time’ is good because [the writers] bring in different fairy-tale characters from Disney and other places and put their own twist on them. It is a good story, and [the characters] all fit together perfectly.” — Sophomore Hannah Maxwell

“Viola Davis from ‘How to Get Away with Murder’ is a really good actress, and I aspire to be her.” — Senior Brina DeWeese

SPORTS

United States goalie Tim Howard made 16 saves in the Belgium vs. USA game in the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

BV goalie senior Erik Rimmer finished the season with 98 saves and 7 shutouts. 

“The toughest save I made this season was when a BV West player hit a free kick from 40 yards out, and I blocked it in the middle of the goal. Then, I had to get up really quickly to save another shot that was me against one player from five yards out. It ended up hitting my chest and going wide.” — Senior Erik Rimmer

According to tvbythenumbers.com, 151 million Americans watched the 2014 Winter Olympic Games in Sochi, Russia. The United States received 9 gold, 7 silver and 12 bronze medals.

Eighty-four percent of BV students watched the 2014 Winter Olympic Games.

“I enjoyed watching the Olympics. I especially liked the bobsled event. It’s so crazy to watch those people perform such a unique event.” — Junior Tyler Elmendorf 

“I am impressed by Olympian athletes’ agility and how long they train to compete.” — Freshman Carlee Cline 

The Kansas City Royals lost in game seven to the San Francisco Giants in the 2014 World Series. 

BV Boys Baseball won the 2014 6A State Championship. 

“The best part about last year was having a whole bunch of seniors. It was great to see them win during their last year at BV. And for [2015] State, we have all of our pitchers back, so we should be good this year. We should win State again.” — Senior Ryan Cyr 

Meb Keflezighi from California won the 2014 Boston Marathon, becoming the first American male runner to win since 1983. 

Boys cross country won the 2014 6A State Championship. 

“Having such a good finish this season was great, and being able to end it with a State title was the best part. I feel like all of my hard work finally paid off when I found out we had won, especially since we had been thinking about winning since summer break.” — Senior Jake Mikuls

ACADEMICS

Scholars’ Bowl won the 2014 6A State Championship.

“The team is really close-knit. We’re like a family, except a little bit crazier. We yell at each other every second of our spare time, call each other idiots, insult each other to the lowest degree possible. And [math teacher Adam] Wade — we call him Sensei — just looks on in amusement. It’s awesome.” — Junior William Liu

Nationwide, 1,407 students scored a 36 on the ACT in 2014.

Two students at BV achieved a 36 on the ACT in 2014.

“Getting a 36 was always an idea in the back of my mind while I was preparing for the ACT. During the test, however, I forgot about aiming for a certain score and focused on getting as many questions correct as possible. Fortunately, all of the pieces ended up falling into place.” — Junior Nathan Luzum