High school student athletes not only have to work hard in their athletics, but they also have to work hard in the classroom. When they are in the classroom, their teachers can play a big role in their life and their success. Sofia Espinosa Contreras is a student at Elk City High School and she says that there are two of her teachers that have greatly influenced her life.
“I have two teachers that have really impacted my life,” she said. “The first is Ms. Swartwood. Since day one of my freshman year, she truly believed in me and the potential I have even when I did not believe that I was that good. Also, Ms. Thomas, even though she has been my teacher since last year, she truly shows me how she cares for me and all her students and even though she might be strict, she makes me be the best version of myself.”

Sofia is in her senior year and she is a member of the cheer team. She also serves as secretary of the Spanish Club and treasurer of the junior class. She is a member of the student council, the National Honor Society, and is a manager in this year’s musical.

Another person that has played an important role in Sofia’s life is someone that she is very close to and admires a lot.
“The person who is my role model in life is my mother,” she said. “I look up to her because she raised me most of the time alone and she truly showed me what you can achieve in life when you set a challenge to yourself and how you have to smile and not worry, so much for the bad parts in life and instead see the good in life.”

Anytime that she is on the sideline cheering on the Elks or competing in a cheer competition, Sofia keeps in mind who all is watching her.

“Knowing that my little cousin looks up to me as their role model is a big motivation for me,” she said. “And to know that there are little girl in every game that look up to all of us cheerleaders.”