JOURNEY: Top varsity tennis player Naomi Valadez recently moved to the United States from Mexico.
By Kate Santoso, Staff Writer
Imagine moving to a different country, leaving behind friends and family and engaging with new people who speak a different language; Naomi Valadez (11) did just this.
Valadez began playing tennis at the age of eight, spending countless hours training rigorously at a nearby club in her hometown Aguascalientes, Mexico. Since then, she has been practicing an average of twelve hours a week. She was motivated to play tennis because she knew it was a great prospect for traveling, meeting new people and setting goals for herself.
In search of more opportunities, Valadez and her family moved to the United States last July. She now attends Poly because she heard it was a prestigious school with a strong athletic reputation. Valadez tried out for the tennis team on July 28, and was immediately accepted onto the team. “I feel so grateful to be a part of such a wonderful team. Plus I love the way we work and enjoy time together,” Valadez expressed.
With the help of Naomi and the many other talented players, the Poly Tennis team is looking to finish this season strong. “Our team is a super close family and Naomi is no exception. She is very talented and a great addition to our team this year,” Captain Mackenzie Nelson (11) said. But it’s not just the players that are amazed by her. “I think she is a fantastic kid, very good tennis player and a wonderful teammate,” Coach Rick Moore said.
For Valadez, moving to a different country with new people and foreign surroundings was a challenge at first. “The first days at school were scary, but now I know I can blend in and grow to be a part of Poly,” she explained. Valadez is still adjusting to the English language. “I try to open all my senses to consume and adjust to the ways of life here at Poly and in the United States,” Valadez said.
For Valadez, adjusting to a new school was not easy. Although she is fairly new to Poly, her love and talent for tennis will lead to future achievements.