Paula Ramirez is a senior soccer player who shares her experiences, motivations, and favorite memories from playing the sport.

Question: Can you please introduce yourself?
A: My name is Paula Ramirez, and I’m a senior in high school.

Q: What position do you play on the soccer team?
A: I’m a striker.

Q: What’s your second favorite position?
A: I would probably say left wing.

Q: Do you watch any professional games?
A: Yeah, sometimes, once in a while.

Q: What’s your favorite team?
A: Chivas.

Q: Do you feel nervous before you play games?
A: Sometimes, yeah.

Q: What helps you prepare? Do you listen to music?
A: Yeah, I listen to music, and I go on my phone, to be honest. Sometimes I also pray before my games—personally, that helps me.

Q: Have you ever had an injury while playing soccer?
A: To be honest, no.

Q: Not even a minor one?
A: No.

Q: Do you plan to keep playing soccer after high school?
A: No.

Q: How did you first get interested in playing soccer?
A: I would probably say because of my sister.

Q: Why?
A: Because she used to play soccer too.

Q: When did you first start playing soccer?
A: I started practicing about four years ago, around 2020.

Q: What motivates you to be a soccer player? Is there someone you look up to?
A: Honestly, all my siblings played soccer before—my brothers did too. I feel like it runs in the family because my dad is also a big fan. He never played, but he loves watching it. He motivates me to be a better player, do well, and never give up.

Q: What is your favorite memory of playing soccer?
A: I would probably say playing with my sister on the same team.

Q: Since playing soccer, what has been your biggest challenge, like a rival team or a teammate?
A: I would say a rival team—we played a really tough school. I forgot the name, but they were very competitive, and sometimes they talked badly about us because we’re Mexican.

Q: How has soccer helped you grow as a person? Has it made you tougher?
A: I would say it’s made me more responsible. During the season, I have to stay focused in school because if I don’t get good grades, I can’t play. So I have to try hard in school, complete my work, and still go to practice every day. It also helps me manage my time, especially on game days when I get home late.

Q: Those were the last questions. Do you have any questions?
A: No.