As the music blasts in the weight room, students work as hard as they can to hit that next max. Each kid pushes the next, getting that seemingly unmovable bar on the rack. All students moving simultaneously like a strong and determined steam-engine train. Coach Ray Portela’s Systematic Conditioning class is a perfect example of brother-ship, everybody is there to motivate each other.The intense workouts absolutely exemplify the hard work that the students in Ray Portela’s Systematic Conditioning class put in. Portela’s class is a place to push yourself and become a more preserving person. In the class you will perform specifically planned workout plans, get their bodies moving, help you wake up, and train you to become even better in your respective sport. This class is like going on a hiking trip; it may be hard work at times, but when you actually do it can be fun and very rewarding. Portela makes sure his students are always putting in the most effort. He makes these students into incredible athletes who will have very successful futures. The demanding work pays off and creates a positive bond between the students. Portela has a very intense approach to his class and the way he helps his students. It is all for the better though; he makes sure everyone is being their best selves and getting the most out of the time they are together. He makes sure everyone works hard so they progress everyday. He is great at joking around and taking jabs at each student. Sensitive students may be taken aback by his blunt truth, but he truly knows what he is doing and it shows. “Systos gives me a chance to hoop with all my friends and Coach Portela helps me develop even more,” Sophomore Chaazaq Gilmore said. Others commented on how they just like the environment of Systos in general. “I enjoy Systos because it surrounds me with D1 athletes, who inspire me,” Sophomore Llmari Vaughn said. And other students enjoy the main workout system of it all. “I like being able to joke around with my friends, while still getting a good lift in,” Sophomore Anthony Williams-Maffery said. Everyone knows and respects him and can clearly see that he wants the best for all of his students. He not only helps kids get stronger physically, but he helps them grow mentally. If you know an incoming freshman, make sure to refer them to Coach Ray Portela.
