For sixteen-year-old Reyna Del Toro Rios, life has always been about movement, whether on the soccer field, the volleyball court, or in her own home, taking care of her younger siblings. “I play sports like volleyball, soccer, and baseball, but mostly with my siblings,” she said. Reyna is also a volleyball player for the JV team at Palmview High School. Beyond athletics, she enjoys singing, drawing, dancing, and looking after her siblings. Though she is just in 10th grade, Reyna is already thinking about her future in healthcare, aspiring to become a radiologist, ultrasound technician, NICU nurse, or even an Air Force nurse.
Sports have always been part of Reyna’s life. According to Reyna, growing up in Las Vegas, Nevada, she trained under her father. This soccer coach encouraged her to be her best.”Playing sports has always been part of my life since I was little because my dad was a soccer coach and he trained me to become the best,” she explained. But her journey hasn’t been entirely smooth. To pursue her studies and live with her extended family, Reyna had to leave her hometown and move to Texas,a change that came with challenges.
“Living in Las Vegas was great. I had all my family over there, and in California, it was exciting because of the activities and sightseeing,” she recalled. “Every weekend was fun, spending time with my family and having parties. I was never tired and bored.” Life in Texas, however, was a different story. “Texas was nerve-racking, meeting new people and having to adjust,” Reyna said. “It was boring, the experiences are different, and the people are way more rude. They don’t really mind their business like Nevada. They are more into what is going on in their families.”
Despite the differences, Reyna is determined to focus on her future. A combination of professional ambition and practical benefits drives her interest in becoming an Air Force nurse. “What inspired me to become an Air Force nurse was that they provide financial benefits, including salary, housing, and subsistence allowance, bonuses, and a strong retirement plan,” she said.” “Healthcare benefits include medical and dental care for you and your dependents, and you receive 30 days of paid vacation per year. Professionally, nurses get specialized training, leadership experience, and support for continuing education and graduate degrees.”
Reyna’s drive comes not only from a desire for personal success but also from a goal to be a trailblazer in her family. “Now I’m studying to become something greater and be the first graduate in my family,” she said. Her creativity and energy match her ambition, evident in her love for singing, dancing, and drawing. She also takes pride in caring for her siblings, balancing her responsibilities with her aspirations.
While she has settled into her life in Texas, Reyna hasn’t forgotten her roots. “Yes I would like to go back for vacation, like Christmas, Thanksgiving, or just to visit,” she said “But sometimes there are a lot of things going on where I can’t go, and I know that going back would mean that I have to make time due to work and other things.”
Reyna Del Toro Rios is more than a 10th grader; she is a young woman charting her own path, blending family, sports, creativity, and ambition into a unique story. Her determination —from the soccer fields of Las Vegas to the volleyball courts at Palmview High School —reflects a spirit ready to take on the world—one goal, one drawing, one patient at a time.
