Emanuel Zavala, a football player at Juarez-Lincoln High School, is managing both academic and athletic demands as he works toward his goals.
Zavala stays focused in his college-level classes, making sure he keeps up with his coursework.
“I focus on controlling what I can and giving my best effort in everything I do,” he said.
Even when facing setbacks, he looks at them as learning experiences.
“Whether it’s a bad grade or a tough loss, I don’t let it define me. I learn from them,” Zavala said.
Balancing school and sports means long days. He often stays up late to finish assignments before attending early morning workouts.
“There are nights where I’m exhausted from practices but still have to stay up late studying,” he said.
On game nights, Zavala plays a key role for Juarez-Lincoln. In a recent win over Donna North, he recorded more than five tackles to help his team.
“I’ve loved football for as long as I can remember,” Zavala said. “Growing up, I watched games with my family, and I always wanted to be out on the field.”
Zavala said he is always looking to improve and puts in extra work when needed.
“I am always trying to improve, and I do not settle. I will put in extra repetitions, hours—whatever it takes,” he said.
He plans to continue his education while exploring opportunities to play football at the next level.
