Senior Stories: Lupe, Nothing is Impossible

Lupe is a SRLA Scholarship recipient from Aspire Ollin University Prep. SRLA taught her to be more confident and to take initiative. She learned valuable leadership skills and is no longer afraid to speak up. Lupe has completed 3 marathons with SRLA, and will attend Santa Monica College.

I have always been shy my whole life. Since I was small, something as tiny as raising my hand to go to the bathroom or to participate was really difficult for me. As I grew up, I never tried to improve or get out of my comfort zone. Every year my teachers would tell my mom that I don't participate in class, and every year it wasn't a surprise to my mom. Since I was a child I constantly experienced anxiety when it came to talking out loud, for example when I would order something in a restaurant, or when I would ask my teacher a question. As I made my way up to elementary and middle school, I was still the same person. That quiet person with good grades. I remember my 7th grade humanities teacher telling me to “Keep up the good work, you’re so close to a 4.0 gpa, you just need to raise your -A.” I responded, “okay I will.” However I didn't even know what GPA meant, and didn't have the courage to ask. This affected me because I ended the semester with a 3.93, and not the 4.0 I could've had.

“SRLA is about strength within the body and the mind! ”

Although I was introverted to the public, I was actually very extroverted within myself and those around me. It wasn't until freshman year where I slowly began to open myself up, like a butterfly leaving its cocoon. If I were to describe myself in three words, I'd choose curious, dedicated, and capable, and I'll tell you why.

A major experience that has shaped who I am, started when I joined Students run LA, in freshman year. I've been challenged to long runs, and it has pushed me to do more than what I thought I was capable of. Marathons are easy to say, but hard to work for, however I managed to get past all the challenges that came along in the process because although its not easy, its definitely worth it. During these years of high school my mindset led me to do everything I wanted to do. SRLA is about strength within the body and the Mind! My coach became my friend, I started talking out loud more, I began sharing, it was easier to work in teams and I started opening myself more! SRLA has allowed me to experience so many challenges that have shaped the person I am today. I can talk out loud, I even lead stretches at various times! It probably doesn't sound like a big deal, but it is to me because it threw me out of my comfort zone, enforcing communication, collaboration and leadership skills that seemed impossible for me a couple of years back! Previous years to the pandemic, I remember our team would run in loops outside of our school in the streets and I would run ahead and try my best to check on the younger runners such as the middle schoolers to make sure they were good and safe! This experience made me feel like a leader and it gave me a different perspective towards responsibility.

“SRLA has changed my mindset from ‘I can’t do it’ to ‘Nada es imposible’.”

SRLA has changed my mindset from “I can't do it” to “Nada es imposible” (Nothing is impossible.) These four years have been part of a huge shift in my life. I have been able to look at big situations differently and always look at the positive side towards everything. We can see that even during this pandemic, we have not given up and we never will! Running has helped me maintain a healthy mental and physical health during these times and I am super grateful that I have developed a healthy metabolism that Covid-19 has not and will not touch me! SRLA has given me the hope to continue to fight for my dreams, to run towards the finish line, to persevere till the end and train for more challenges to come. Not only races but any challenge that life throws at me. Thank you for the training SRLA!!

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