Victoria Duran, a junior at Hollis High School, is a multi-sport athlete, participating in cross-country, track, softball, and cheer. All of them have their own challenges and rewards. Cross country pushes her endurance, track tests her quickness, softball builds her ability to work as a team, and cheer allows her to show her school pride and athleticism. All of them shape the athlete she is today.
She credits her success in sports to her devotion to never giving up. Last softball season, she broke her finger, resulting in her never playing a game. “This year it was hard coming back, but I still gave it my all.” She shares. In cross country, her teammate Jolie encourages her to improve her pace, “she has a stronger pace, so I push myself to stay with her to the very end.” Showing the importance of giving it your all.
When it comes to mentors who inspire Victoria to never give up, she acknowledges her family. More specifically, her brother Sebastian, “he taught me I can do more than I think I can, so do everything to your best ability no matter what.” She states. Victoria also cites Coach Webb of having a lasting effect on her. To this day, she’ll never forget a particular quote she heard in class during a video he played, “Life never gets easier, you just handle hard better.” It assured her she is capable of succeeding; you just have to fight for it every day.
Victoria has retained a 4.0 GPA, which she considers the greatest victory of her career. Retaining her GPA took a lot of hard work, focus, and studying. Victoria is also involved in the NHS, taking college classes, yearbook, and she is enrolled at the VoTech. Despite all her responsibilities, she handles it with grace and diligence.
At the end of the day, it means a lot for Victoria to represent her school and community. Always shows gratitude to others and exhibits good sportsmanship, no matter where she goes. Beyond high school, she plans on attending OU and hopes to obtain her BSN and specialize in Pediatrics. Another example of how Victoria will make a difference in this world, one step at a time.
