Current Workplace:

I have been here at Donna High School for the last 6 years

How long have you been in the field, and where did you complete your education?

I will be completing my 9th year in Athletic Training. I completed my Bachelor’s of Science in Athletic Training at Texas Lutheran in 2017. I then completed my Master’s in Sports Science and Rehabilitation from Logan University in 2019.

Why did you choose this profession?

I wanted to be close to sports, but in a meaningful way. Not just watching from the sidelines but being part of the action. I liked the idea of being trusted when it mattered most.

What skills do you think are most important for an AT to develop?

The best ATs aren’t just good at taping ankles or writing rehab programs. They’re calm leaders, trusted communicators, confident decision-makers and adaptable problem-solvers. I believe these skills separate you from an average AT to a great AT.

What is your favorite part of the job?

My favorite part of being an athletic trainer is earning trust in high-pressure moments and helping athletes safely get back to doing what they love. Athletes coming back to you weeks later. Coaches trusting your word. Parents relaxing when you explain what’s happening.

What’s your mantra or favorite quote?

“Be the calm in the chaos”. Athletes will not remember what you said but remember how safe they felt during some of the hardest moments in their lives.

Who are some of your biggest influencers both personally and professionally?

Over the last nine years of being an athletic trainer, I’ve been fortunate to learn from two incredible mentors who shaped not only how I practice, but who I am in this profession. Travis Gray, who I worked with at Chapel Hill High School, taught me that relationships are the foundation of athletic training. He showed me that trust, connection, and a little bit of swag can make this demanding profession meaningful and fun. He became family to me, and without his guidance, I truly don’t know who I would be as an athletic trainer today. I hope he’s looking down proud of me. Miss you Compa. The second most influential mentor in my career is Steffanie Becker, the absolute GOAT of athletic training here in the Rio Grande Valley. She is the epitome of what a great athletic trainer should be kind, hardworking, selfless, and deeply committed to mentoring others. Bringing me to Donna High School and learning under her leadership was an honor, and her influence continues to guide me every day.

Do you have any advice for other ATs or students contemplating a career in Athletic Training?

If you’re an AT or a student thinking about becoming one, understand this first: athletic training is built on relationships and responsibility, not just skills. Learn your anatomy, master evaluations, and respect the science, but never forget that athletes trust you with their bodies, their confidence, and sometimes their future. Find mentors who challenge you, support you, and remind you why this work matters on the hard days. Protect your integrity, advocate for your value, and don’t be afraid to set boundaries early burnout doesn’t come from caring too much, it comes from caring without support. Most importantly, remember that success in this profession isn’t measured by wins or recognition, but by the quiet moments when someone feels safer, stronger, and more confident because you were there.