What is a Bromance? According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, a “bromance” is defined as a “close nonsexual friendship between men.” But to the Senior boys of Ukiah High, it is much more.
Kessler Koch described how “the concept of ‘Bros’ is ever-changing, but at its core, it is who you can mutually make fun of other people with.” His bro Trevor Schlafer explained how “all of our friends left us last year” leaving Koch and him lonely. But they conquered that battle together. “That’s a Bromance: sticking together.”
Jordan Rodriguez spoke of his friendship with Cannon Johnson saying “You got to have people that are with you during the highs and lows.”
At the end of the day, it’s about “two guys who care deeply enough about each other to lose their life protecting the other.” At least that’s the bond between Matthew Vinson and childhood best friend Deven Swan.
For Vinson and Swan, the bromance started at a young age. “For as long as I can remember Devon was at my side. I think it was around first grade when we hit it off right when I moved here.”
The rest of our bromances sparked during little league or youth football. Cannon Johnson explained how he and Jordan Rodriguez’s bromance began back in their first couple years of football, as their families grew closer so did the two boys.
In 2021 Psychology Today released an article by Robert Puff Ph.D. describing the importance of friendship. He expressed how “We get to share the beautiful aspects of life with people who we love, which can enrich our everyday experiences.” and that “having friends to support us through hard times can make unimaginably difficult situations seem more tolerable.”
For Vinson his friendship with Swan “is extremely important, he has been my best friend since I moved here and he is someone I know I can count on no matter what.”
Koch recounted a time when Schlafer “saved” him. “There was this time I really needed a ride somewhere- and my car wasn’t working so Schlaf saved me.” Superbro indeed.
Sometimes the simple moments make the largest impressions as Rodriguez illustrates a memory between him and Johnson up at their friends’ cabin. “I remember being up late and just listening to some music, reminiscing, and just talking.”
There are many instances where a friend or in this case “bro” can save your day. But at the end of it all the best memories for our Senior boys come from stupidity.
Jackson O’Ferrall highlights a time in 7th grade when he and Canyon Loflin “knocked the whole drum set over during band class, our teacher was so mad.” The two then burst into laughter at the memory, “we were just cracking up.”
Swan recalls a time when Vinson almost drowned- “he just kept yelling help and.. I just said no.” As any bro would. He also spoke about running from a man with a shotgun in the Vineyard across from his house. “Good times.” The two proceeded to laugh.
Vinson narrated a time when “we were running across the dam, it was raining so on our way back we took a swim.” The cinematic moment is now engraved within his mind along with the memory of the two riding quads in Swan’s backyard.
Sickness may not be so fun but Schlafer looks back fondly at the memory of a time when Koch “got really sick- fever and all, he threw up all over a sliding glass door. I was the only one there to save him, I think that event really brought us closer together.” If that isn’t bromance I don’t know what is, other than that the two speak on their memories of winning a baseball championship “I just remember us going crazy”, going to practices, and going through the ups and downs of high school.
Nearing the end of our interview we asked our Bromances what their favorite thing about each other was.
Johnson immediately turned to Rodriguez’s smile as it lights up his day.
Laughter has brought O’Ferrall and Loflin closer as they both “can make anyone laugh at any moment.”
Vinson and Swan adore each other’s dedication to their friendship, “it’s always friends first, at the end of the day he will always be there.” Vinson expresses how “you never know what’s going to happen next” when with Swan.
Koch’s “outgoing personality” brought him and Schlafer closer, his fashion is also something Schlafer admires. On the other hand, he applauds Schlafer’s “voice impressions” and jokes. He also shouts out Schlafer’s contagious joy that he brings to every conversation and relationship.
Katie Williams is an Editor in Chief for the Ukiah High School Newspaper and a Senior at UHS. Katie enjoys writing about emotion based and community oriented pieces, and is the head producer for the @ukiahilite instagram page. Outside of school Katie enjoys baking, reading and assisting her family in reaching out to our community. After high school Katie would like attend Christian Life College to someday work with children that “deserve better, they need someone to listen”.
