Senior Stories: Dayanara, Balancing Challenges
Dayanara is a 3 time marathon finisher from James A. Foshay Learning Center. This month, she was awarded with an SRLA scholarship which she will be using when she attends Northwestern University as an Engineering major.
Dayanara (left) pictured with her loved ones after graduation at James A. Foshay Learning Center.
I first joined SRLA to have an extracurricular activity to enhance my resume. However, as I got more involved, I wish I had been more consistent with it. I think that's how it was for everyone. As ninth graders, we were still figuring out our paths and what we wanted in life. But now, I wish I had been more consistent and simply enjoyed the experience.
Last year, I learned a lot, especially about the importance of consistency in all aspects of life. Whether it's running or simply going for a walk, consistency can have a positive impact. One valuable lesson my coach taught me is about balance. If you want to pursue activities like running marathons or being physically active, it's crucial that you learn to balance all the other responsibilities you have. I ran my third marathon this year , and although the first two were incredibly emotional for me, completing this one brought tears of joy and lots of relief.
Joining SRLA may have been seen as just an extracurricular activity to others, but for me, it meant that I had found a supportive community. It served as a vital outlet to cope with the stresses of school and mental health. Finishing the marathon made me immensely proud of myself, all the hours I stayed after school has suddenly become worth the euphoria I felt.
Another thing I also learned from this experience is to persevere even when people may not support your decisions, it's essential to stay true to yourself and persist. Many family members and classmates didn't agree with my late-night runs and the potential risks involved, considering where we live. But despite the challenges and the doubters, it was truly enjoyable spending time with my friends, fellow SRLA members, and coach. The sense of community we built was like nothing else I’ve experienced. Overcoming obstacles together was rewarding, both in running and in life. One of my hardest marathons was the Hansen Dam marathons. The double loop, the hills, and the bridge make it mentally dreading. It was raining that day and the bridge felt dreary with its grayness and gloominess.
Dayanara celebrating finishing the 2022 LA Marathon.
However, having a good support system and running alongside someone can make all the difference. I’m going to be taking this piece of advice everywhere with me - especially in my future college years. Having a solid support system around you makes challenges more manageable. I used this support system when I ran the Hansen Dam marathon. The double loop, the hills, and the bridge made it mentally dreading. It was raining that day and the bridge felt dreary with its grayness and gloominess. However, seeing people next to me who knew exactly what I was going through made me feel less alone.
As I prepare to attend Northwestern University and in my future college years, I carry with me the invaluable lessons I learned from SRLA. The importance of consistency, finding balance, and surrounding myself with a supportive community resonates deeply. I know that these principles will guide me through the challenges and triumphs that lie ahead in the marathon of life. Students Run LA has truly shaped me, not just as a runner, but as a determined person who is ready to tackle whatever obstacles come my way.
I want to shoutout Coach Jaime Wolf because he was such a great support system for me. He helped me with my SRLA scholarship application and gave me a lot of life advice. He taught me the importance of balance of life in all sectors, even if it’s your mental or physical health. He’s been an important and staple person in my life. I’m extremely grateful for him.
“SRLA served as a vital outlet to cope with the stresses of school and mental health. Finishing the marathon made me immensely proud of myself, all the hours I stayed after school had suddenly been worth the euphoria I felt as I finished.”