Athletes put in a lot of hard work in order to prepare themselves for competition. They know they have to be at the top of their game so that they can help their team. It is always a great feeling when you see all that work pay off and that is something that Keira Pineda says is her favorite moment as an athlete.
“The biggest highlight for me was making it to the state tournament for the first time in school history while playing with my best friends,” she recalled.
Pineda is a senior at Empire High School, where she plays basketball and track. She is also the manager of the softball team, member of the National Honor Society, Student Council, yearbook, and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
Working hard is something that Keira is not afraid to do because she knows the rewards of doing it.
“My success comes by wanting to be a better person and athlete,” she said. “What motivates me is pushing myself and others to continually be better.”
“ ”Jaicee Powers is the head girls basketball coach at Empire and says that Pineda is an outstanding teammate and player.
“Keira is a great kid,” Powers said. “She is a leader on and off the court and she leads by example, always going the extra mile for her teammates, friends, and family. She carries herself with integrity and is a role model for our younger generation.”
As a student in the classroom, Keira has learned from a lot of different teachers. But out of all of them, she has one that stands out as her favorite and it is for a special reason.
“My favorite teacher would have to be my third grade teacher,” she said. “She is my grandma and she has helped me navigate through life.”
Being a student athlete comes with a lot of responsibilities. Not only do you have to be physically and mentally ready to compete, you also have to ensure that your grades are where they are supposed to be so you can compete. Pineda says that knowing your priorities is key.
“To balance out school and activities, you really need time management and take the time to focus on your academics before anything.”
