Priscilla Aguero, a varsity softball player with a love for animals, attends Marcos de Niza High School. When she’s not practicing her batting skills you can see her dedicating her time to animals of all shapes and sizes.

“I have a very strong connection with animals, sometimes I like them better than people. They help me so much with the stress and anxiety I get when I’m trying to deal with school or a hectic week of softball practice. I just have always known I wanted to work with all types of animals, not just domesticated ones.” said Aguero.

During softball season this student athlete uses her time to dedicate her efforts into her individual performance as well as running drills or practicing her batting with fellow teammates. However, in the off season Aguero prepares for this upcoming softball season and still juggles school work, participates in the EVIT (East Valley Institute of Technology) Veterinary Program and manages to get through the challenges of high school.

 “The EVIT program is great for students who want to study a trade and gain certification that will be useful after graduation. Not all students are college bound, so EVIT can help give kids direction and study something they are interested in doing," said Jennifer Rapp, Aguero’s English teacher.

Aguero expresses her thoughts about how difficult it is for a student athlete to juggle their studies as well as juggling her social life.

“This is my junior year, and the hardest thing about all of it is all the studying I have to do with all my classes and keep myself in check. It’s not hard being at EVIT, I love it so much. But you just have to learn how to balance softball and the other things I have going on in my life,” said Aguero.

A typical school day for Aguero begins with her going straight to the EVIT facility and spending most of her day there and ending her day back at Marcos de Niza. There she attends her last two classes of the day, math and English.

“Priscilla is an awesome student. She works hard in class and completes all her work. She is kind and respectful and has a beautiful happy personality that is an asset in the classroom.” said Rapp.

“I’ve always wanted to be in an environment working with animals and have gravitated towards them in a very special way. Since I took summer school the past two years, I am so lucky to not have to worry about my classes and meeting all the requirements for graduating because I am ahead in school and ahead in furthering my career.” said Aguero.

 

Aguero has memorable moments she has shared with her own pet as well as donating her time to CAR (Central Animal Rescue), a program that gives an insight to animals that have not been as fortunate as others.

“I’ve played softball for 11 years and have had such great memories in the sport, but I have also had some amazing memories in EVIT. I went to this program called CAR. I volunteered and received hands on experience with animals that have been neglected, abandoned, or poorly bred. It was really sad, but there have been good ones, too. I got to bring my dog Charlie in and give him his shots, and after go out and play with him and other dogs too.” said Aguero.

Michele Aguero spoke about her daughter’s future and mentioned that in the year 2020 when Priscilla graduates, she will not only receive her high school diploma but also be handed her veterinary assistant certificate.

“As a little girl Priscilla has always loved animals and she is passionate about all types. As she grew older, she expressed interest about becoming a veterinarian. She has not slacked off, nor has she complained about all the extra work she has, she embraces it because she knows all her hard work will pay off on graduation day.” said Michele Aguero.