Throughout her high school experience, senior Sitlali Garcia has overcome many obstacles through learning to put herself in new situations and try different things. As senior year is coming to an end, Garcia has committed to continue her education as a dolphin at Cal State University of Channel Islands in the fall. Throughout the application process Garcia was stressed, knowing that is a first generation, paving her own way through.
As a positive role model to her peers during flag football games Garcia is proud of the imprint she’s made at Buena, throughout her sports Garcia has learned how to stick out and be a team player.
Her biggest supporter is her mom. She describes her mom as the person that’s shown her how to be as strong as the person she is today.
“My mom is the person that has inspired me the most, she’s always motivating me and showing me how to grow into my own person,” Garcia said.
Garcia plans to major in nursing. While she’s excited about the opportunities to help others, she is aware how competitive admittance to this particular major is.
“It’s going to be tough, but I’m going to give it my all one way or another,” Garcia said.
In her free time, Garcia loves to run and workout to take her mind off of everything. In her first two years, Garcia was playing volleyball on JV, until one of her teachers, Micheal Gianelli had encouraged her to play flag football when the program was introduced in 2023. Eventually, Garcia decided to try out for the sport and realized she loved it.
“Mr. Gianelli encouraged me, so I decided I would try out. After I did, I ended up falling in love with the sport,” Garcia said.
Garcia stood out to flag football coach Micheal Gianelli almost immediately for her ability to encourage her teammates and model new techniques.
“She was a leader just by her worth ethic, she would others by her actions and with her words,” Gianelli said. “She’s just a tough player overall, very fast too.”
Along the way of Garcia finding out about her love for flag football, Garcia made new friends. One of those memorable friendships is with senior Aida Heredia. Heredia described the friendship as trustful and motivating, explaining how they have each other’s back through difficult circumstances and made the most of their time during flag football practice.
She was always dancing, jumping around and making jokes which made our practices in the scorching sun so much fun,” Heredia said.
Soon after Garcia discovered her love for flag football, she decided to put herself out there more and try out for track, since she loves running. As time went on Garcia wished she joined track sooner since she was previously in cross country. For Garcia, track is not just about the win.
“The best part of track is the free feeling of running,” Garcia said. “I love running a race and hitting a new personal record. It’s the best feeling.”
Garcia is one of the many people that has a clear future for themselves and she will do anything she can to make sure that her hard work pays off. With her last weeks of high school quickly approaching, Garcia plans to do her absolute best and not settle for anything less.
“I like to perform my best in any sport that I do. I’m also passionate about my beliefs,” Garcia said. “I’m not persuaded easily nor do I change my mind.”
