Senior Stories: Michelle, Pushing the Limits

We are kicking off Summer of Seniors 2021 with Michelle’s story! She recently graduated from Orthopaedic Medical Magnet. Michelle has participated with SRLA for four years. She is a SRLA and Honda Power of Dreams Scholarship recipient! Michelle has completed 4 marathons, and will be attending UCLA School of Nursing.

Running can be seen as a cardiovascular exercise where you place one foot in front of the other while heavily inhaling and exhaling on each step. Simple as that. However, running with Students Run Los Angeles is more than just running; it is about community. Being a part of SRLA has pushed me beyond my limits both physically and mentally, and has managed to influence my life from my family’s health to my academic performance.

“Being a part of SRLA has pushed me beyond my limits both physically and mentally...”

Michelle and her SRLA teammates from Orthopaedic Medical Magnet at the 2020 LA Marathon Expo.

Participating in SRLA for four years, I not only learned how to seek self-improvement but also how to bring SRLA teaching and experiences into a more intimate space. Exercise can be intimidating as it has the notion of being rigorous, yet like incremental and small stretches I did during practice, I have been able to slowly apply them to my parents’ walking routines. By applying these SRLA fitness teachings to my family members, I am able to promote wellness to my closest circle to help them achieve healthy lifestyle changes.

During SRLA Cares, a monthly donation drive that the organization hosts, I strived to implement my social, environmental, and community awareness through my leadership roles as secretary of National Honor Society( 2019-2021) and Creative Minds Art Club (2018-2020). Many efforts to give back to diverse communities, such as with NHS, built upon working through community engagement in providing care packages to the homeless community and has manifested into an extensive project. Similarly, while partnered with the Orthopaedic Institute for Children, my NHS chapter was able to raise hundreds of toy donations for the annual toy drive at Calexico for an Orthopaedic Clinic that takes in patients from across the border.

“I love challenges and I would like to pursue challenges even outside of athletics. ”

Michelle’s graduation from Orthopaedic Medical Magnet.

Moreover, my coach instilled the motto in me, “If it was easy, everyone would do it” which made me realize how much I love challenges and I would like to pursue challenges even outside of athletics. I implemented these similar ambitions of seeking challenges by taking rigorous classes throughout high school and excelling in all of them, which I have been able to do with my discipline and perseverance that I have strengthened being part of SRLA. Similarly, I challenged myself to take on leadership roles as secretary of clubs, but also seek rigorous and demanding opportunities like internships and volunteer experiences at the Orthopaedic Institute for Children, Kaiser Permanente, and the California Hospital. Even as a senior, I continued to apply my curiosity and ambition for challenges by applying to and getting accepted to competitive education programs like UCLA and the UPenn School of Nursing.

Constantly being pushed past my limits was exhausting yet rewarding to be surrounded with a supportive and encouraging family of other fellow runners, SRLA leaders, and our parents throughout the entire journey.

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