McCamey’s Danna Reza wanted to make the most of her high school experience.
She wanted to make sure academics were high on her list of priorities and she did that while maintaining a busy schedule that included multiple sports.
Reza competed in four sports for the Lady Badgers: Volleyball, basketball, golf and track.
“I always told myself that after high school I wouldn’t have sports, pretty much or that I wouldn’t have the same experience as high school,” Reza said. “So I always told myself, ‘Always give your best, don’t hold back just because you had a bad game or a bad practice.’”
Her normal schedule consisted of attending practices after school, then turning her focus to her dual-credit coursework later in the night.
The way she handled her duties was recognized through various awards, which included being named an honorable mention academic All-State selection for volleyball, basketball and golf through the Texas High School Coaches Association.
Reza was also an academic All-State selection through the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches.
While she excelled in sports, Reza also stood out through academic competitions as she competed in the UIL’s Literary Criticism contest twice.
“It was definitely something new, I had never done UIL,” Reza said. “I got encouraged by a fellow classmate to do it just for the fun and I actually liked it.”
Reza’s favorite subject through high school was English, a language she had to learn after moving from the state of Chihuahua in Mexico.
When she started settling into the language, she discovered an admiration for reading and writing.
Her plan for the future includes attending Angelo State University, where she’ll start classes a step ahead because of her dual-credit through Odessa College.
Reza isn’t sure what she’ll major in yet, but she has considered studying something through English or in business.
McCamey girls basketball coach Steve Schreiner has big expectations for Reza’s future, anticipating the student-athlete to make an impact as an upstanding citizen.
He knew he never had to worry about Reza or her grades, as she always had a strong sense of responsibility.
Schreiner got to see Reza develop her leadership skills for five years and he was impressed with how she handled tough challenges through her senior season.
“We had lots of injuries this year, she had to fill a bunch of roles that she probably never thought she’d have to do,” Schreiner said. “She pretty much had to be a do-it-all.”
The basketball coach added that Reza set the bar high and will leave big shoes to fill for her younger teammates.
Reza knew the team’s freshmen looked up to her since her junior year and she wanted to make a similar impact to the seniors that were around her when she was younger.
Going into the next step of her life, one of Reza’s ultimate goals is to be the first member of her family to graduate from college.
She has received strong support from her family throughout her academic career and a friendly competition with her sister could help propel her to achieving her goal.
Reza will graduate sixth in the McCamey High School’s Class of 2022.
“I am so happy,” Reza said. “It’s sad, it gets emotional and you start thinking of all the memories you built up in high school and with your fellow classmates.
“I’m definitely glad that I’m graduating and I’m thankful that I’m going to be able to walk the stage with people that I have grown up with.”
>> Follow Chris Amaya on Twitter at @OA_CAmaya
DANNA REZA
MCCAMEY
>> Academic Rank: No. 6 (of 41)
>> Sports: Volleyball; Basketball; Golf; Track
>> Academic bio: UIL Literary Criticism; Academic All-District (Volleyball, Basketball); THSCA Academic All-State (Volleyball, Basketball, Golf); TABC Academic All-State
>> Athletic bio: Volleyball (Second team All-District); Baasketball (First team All-District); Golf (2-time regional qualifier); Track (Regional qualifier alternate)
>> Activities: Yearbook; Fellowship of Christian Athletes; Youth basketball coach; Spring League volleyball coach; Band
>> College and major: Angelo State University (undeclared)
>> Goals for the future: To be the first in my family to graduate from college
>> Favorite subject: English
>> Favorite book: To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before
>> Favorite musician: Bad Bunny
>> Role model: My cousin Marlene
