By Jessica Nguyen, Staff Writer
Adrenaline coursed through her veins and her calves burned as her shoes pounded heavily across the track. She quickened her pace until her steps became leaps, one that carried her over the finish line as first place. Even though her lungs were gasping for air, Isabella Guerra was proud and victorious.
For the month of December, Isabella Guerra has also won the title of Senior of the Month with her extreme dedication and focus.
Running has always been a big part of Guerra’s life. Although she liked the sport before high school, freshman year brought out a different aspect to it: competitiveness. From starting cross country and track to realizing that she excelled in it, running transitioned from a side thing to one of Guerra’s biggest commitments.
“[Track] is hard. It takes so much of you and you can’t really always have time to do other stuff, said Guerra, “but it has made me focus and have a really tight knit group of friends.”
Four years later, she has served as cross country team captain alongside seniors, Sara Feitz and Ashley Faller, for the last two years. As captain, Guerra learned to step up as a leader, who knows how gather people and get them to focus. With lots of experience, she is not a harsh leader and likes to relate to people by giving her own side story.
However, running hasn’t always been easy. Becoming sick this year, Guerra had to drop out of two races before coming back even more determined and competitive. This year, girls’ cross country made it to state for CIF.
In addition, clubs, including Fashion Club and Fellowship of Christian Athletes, have played a big part of Guerra’s life, allowing her to express her religion.
Guerra was also formerly a part of the softball team and girl scouts.
On the other hand, Guerra started volunteering at the Fountain Valley Regional Hospital just recently but it still has impacted her. Every weekend for three hours, she aids patients in their room or escorts them in and out of the hospital.
“[Volunteering there] has actually led me more closely to choosing what major I want to do in college; it really made me more excited. I just saw the impact of just a small gesture and the caring aspect. I really took it to something that I want to do later in life,” said Guerra.
Guerra spends her time volunteering at the Huntington Beach Library as well.
Performing arts is only something that Guerra has dabbled in. Freshman year, she took part in an all girls choir for a semester and experienced several concerts like the Christmas and Halloween concerts.
“This was beginner choir so we were definitely unexperienced in that way so we had to rely on each other. We had to work together to help each other on certain songs. It was a cool time in my life because it was something fun I could do,” said Guerra. “I wish I could have continued.”
As doctors and parents, Guerra’s family motivate her to work this hard and aspire to do more.
“They have kept with me through everything. I really thank them because they are my role models and one of the reasons I got into the medical field. They have definitely taught me to not let people push you around just because people doubted them,” said Guerra.
Faller, Guerra’s best friend, is another source of inspiration because of her ability to juggle running and other extracurriculars on top of that as well.
Guerra is bound for Benedictine College to pursue a nursing degree and continue her cross country legacy.
“No matter how low your life might be or if you go through a setback, don’t let that hurt you. Don’t let that discourage you. Just go for it because high school is only four years and it goes so quick. It is a time where you thrive but you also have those low moments. Learning from that and growing from those experiences make you a better person,’” said Guerra.
