Being a full time student is hard. Being involved in almost every extracurricular activity is harder. Ashley Rojas, 12, is a student that is involved in cheerleading, band, track, student council, dance and senior class co-secretary. Even though she is passionate about these activities, sometimes it is very difficult to manage them all at once.

Rojas said that she makes time for all her activities by talking to her coaches so that they organize what time she will be going with each one of them. Rojas joined cheer because, in January, Coach Rios asked some of the dancers to join a cheer competition and she really liked flying.

“I like to spend my time doing things I love and not just stay home doing nothing,” Rojas said.

Rojas has learned how to be responsible, how to always give her best in school, how to be a team member and to always be herself. During pep rallies and in the games, it gets complicated to manage going from activity to activity.

“I want to make a name for myself and not just be some kid in school,” Rojas said.

Rojas said she had a very difficult time learning how to dance. When she was a freshman, she struggled a lot in dance. Her dance teacher never gave up on her and helped her as much as she could. It can be challenging learning all the dances and steps, but she never gives up. Before performing, she reviews all the dances and steps so she does not confuse cheer and dance.

Jesus Molina, 12, Rojas’ boyfriend, is also the captain of the dance team and involved in band. Molina says he always tries to motivate and support Rojas to do the things she is passionate about because he wants to see her happy. Molina said that at first, it felt weird being in something Rojas was in, but after time he felt comfortable since they help each other out. Molina said that they are confident enough to give advice to each other and other dancers.

“Not only do I feel, but I know that Ashley is the most humble person I know, she is always willing to help anyone and puts aside whatever she is doing in order to help others,” Molina said.

Mrs. Castaneda, dance instructor, said that she is so glad that Rojas is involved in many activities because she is doing what she likes, especially because it is her last year in high school. Castaneda said that Rojas has been in her dance team since her freshman year, and has always shown that she loves what she is doing with a lot of enthusiasm and effort. That was why she picked her as team captain.

“Ashley is goofy, and she tends to give to herself, and she is also very friendly to everybody. Ashley knows when to be serious and when to play around, she is a very mature person,” Castaneda said.

Castaneda encourages Ashley to go on with her education and to be involved within the community or college activities so when she looks back to what she did, she won’t have any regrets.