In the heart of Anadarko High School, DaeLena Tsonetokoy stands tall as a beacon of strength and determination. As the top girls’ singles player on the tennis team, DaeLena’s journey is defined by her unwavering commitment to excellence and her relentless drive to succeed.
For DaeLena, the bond with her teammates fuels her motivation to strive for greatness. “They inspire me to give my all every time I step onto the court.”
Rooted in her family, DaeLena finds her greatest influences in her siblings. “The biggest influence in my life would have to be my siblings. I want to work hard to be a good role model for them.”
In the crucible of competition, DaeLena’s success is forged through years of dedicated practice. “Tennis isn’t a sport you get good at overnight,” she said. “It takes discipline, both physically and mentally.”
Among the highlights of her career, DaeLena treasures her performance during her sophomore year regionals, where she showcased her resilience after overcoming a back injury. “I wanted to fight for my spot at state and show people I haven’t changed just because I got injured.”
In the arena of competition, DaeLena approaches every opponent with the same unwavering determination to emerge victorious. “Every opponent I have ever faced, the goal was to come out as the winner.”
In the camaraderie of practice, DaeLena finds a worthy challenger in her fellow top boys’ singles player. “He challenges me to be better,” she acknowledged with respect.
As a stalwart member of her school’s extracurricular activities, including National Honor Society, Native American Honor Society and Native American Dance Troupe, DaeLena is a shining example of leadership and involvement.
Looking toward the future, DaeLena plans to pursue a career as a dental hygienist, driven by her passion for helping others.
Representing her school and heritage with pride, DaeLena embraces the pressure of playing as the top girls’ singles player, using it as motivation to excel both on and off the court. “I absolutely love playing for my school. As a Native American athlete, I feel it is vital to represent who I am and where I come from.”
