Mireya Gil is working to make the world a better place one community at a time.
The Santa Barbara High senior student athlete has put in more than 250 hours of community service with the non-profit group Querencia, which supports and mentors youth of low-income families in the Eastside neighborhood.
She gives her time building relationships and serving as a role model.
At school, she is a two-sport athlete (basketball and swimming), serves as team captain for the Channel League-champion girls basketball team, and carries a 4.78 grade-point average.
The Santa Barbara Athletic Round Table is presenting Gil as the 2020 recipient of the Phil Womble Ethic in Sports Scholarship.
The student athletes eligible for the $2,500 scholarship are the Phil Womble Ethic in Sports Award winners for the 2018-19 school year from the eight local public and private high schools. The award is presented to a junior member of a school athletic who demonstrate the highest standards of ethics and sportsmanship. It acknowledges accountability, respect of teammates, opponents, and officials, honesty, positive attitude, reliability, loyalty, sportsmanship, others above self, and team above personal interest.
“She is a model with her integrity, academics and commitment to bettering herself and others,” award sponsor and Round Table member Dave Pintard said of Gil. “She has a passion for seeking justice for others.”
The daughter of Holly and Ruben Gil plans to attend UC Davis and major in enviromental science and management, with a focus on social justice issues.
“My goal is to help marginalized communities around the world that are the most adversely affected by environmental issues,” she says.
Gil credits SBHS teachers Tania Viscarra (English), Brandon Teris (art) and Helen Daniel (math) for helping bring out the best in her.
“I got honest feedback about my writing,” Gil said of Viscarra. “She has been the only teacher who sees me as a writer and has pushed me to be a better writer.”
On Teris: “His room has always been a safe place on campus where I can be myself. He encourages me to tap into my creative side and gives me critical feedback.”
She said Daniel “has the ability to encourage her students and to connect with each one on a personal level. I really appreciate that about her.”
Gil said her favorite high school experience was Senior Night for the girls basketball team. The team beat Cabrillo to finish undefeated in the Channel League.
“It was one of the most physical and mentally challenging games I’ve played,” she said. “My team stepped up to the challenge and worked together to beat them. It was a very emotional game for not only us seniors on the team but also for each of my teammates and coaches.
“My abuela (grandmother) and other extended family showed up to support me that night, and it was such a good feeling to know I had them all there watching.”
— Noozhawk sports editor Barry Punzal can be reached at bpunzal@noozhawk.com. Follow Noozhawk Sports on Twitter: @NoozhawkSports. Connect with Noozhawk on Facebook.
Hop Studios
You must be logged in to post a comment.