Edwin Salazar is a 11th grade student who plays soccer and badminton while he strives to graduate in white and make his family proud.
Edwin’s hobby and sport is soccer. What makes him unique is that he plays two positions; goalkeeper and striker. He started his soccer journey at the age of 12 when he was in 6th grade, his training was cut short due to covid but his ambition didn’t stop, his ambition continued and he practiced in his room to get better. To get even more better he joined a team in Rosa Parks to play in Friday leagues when he was in 9th grade, this developed his skills even more and is what helped him make freshmen, junior varsity, and varsity goalie. His journey didn’t stop there as after the season was over he continued his Friday leagues in Rosa Parks and was even more determined to get better that he started practicing with his sister and dad at parks after school to help with shooting and reflexes. When asked why he feels most connected with soccer he said it’s a sport that his whole family enjoys and supports so he feels more connected with them in doing the sport.
Although Edwin’s hobby and sport is soccer it is not the only one he enjoys playing badminton because it calms him down and unlike soccer badminton makes him rely on himself more and like soccer forces him to play smart. He started playing badminton later on in high school when he was in 10th grade, and also because his English teacher Mr. Ta told him he should try out for it and he did, Edwin soon found that he did like the sport and mental game that was incorporated. There he met friends that he said without the sorority he wouldn’t have made and even though he does focus on soccer more he says his friendships still continue with the team and they’re members, he plans to go back to the sport once soccer is done. While in badminton he learned that with a kind and supporting team you can still thrive and try in the sport even when you lose a game.
Since Edwin plays two sports that doesn’t mean his parents expect any less in grades. His parents hold him accountable for his grades and expect C’s or higher, however they do take into consideration the sports and just talk to him instead of grounding him. Currently Edwin has a GPA of 3.36 but he plans to fix his GPA and get back on track to a 4.0 so he can graduate in white. His number one supporter is his younger sister who also does soccer. She supports him by telling him to not give up which, coming from his little sister, pushes him to not give up.
