Permian’s Paula Garcia led by example in all of her endeavors throughout high school.
That was evident on the tennis court, in orchestra and in the classroom.
Her work ethic and attitude led her younger teammates to gravitate toward her, as they could see the amount of dedication she put into everything.
Garcia will graduate fifth in Permian High School’s Class of 2022.
The senior knew how important getting good grades was, keeping that aspect of her life high on her list of priorities.
She always made time to finish her assignments, which included multiple AP courses, even if it meant working after long practices.
“One of the things I loved is that I could rely on my friends and family for help,” Garcia said. “I had to really manage my time a lot and it was hard because I usually procrastinate a lot.
“At the end of the day, I got things done and it was thanks to my family but also how I managed my time.”
Despite having a schedule dominated by schoolwork and tennis practices, Garcia served in leadership roles as vice president of the Permian Orchestra and parliamentarian of the Spanish National Honor Society.
She also had various opportunities to do volunteer work, including the Junior Volunteer Teen Leadership Program at Medical Center Hospital and the Healers of Tomorrow-Native Health Initiative.
Getting into the JVLTP was difficult because she had to go through an interview process, but Garcia said she got to learn the value of leadership and how to handle being outside of her comfort zone.
Through Healers of Tomorrow, Garcia learned about different healthcare careers for eight months and ended her participation in the program with a community project.
Her community project included playing music for elderly citizens in nursing homes.
Garcia plans on attending Midland College to go through the Primary Care Pathway Program, which will give her the chance to attend medical school at the University of North Texas.
She’ll get to stay close to family for the first two years of her collegiate career.
“I’m really a big family person, so getting to see them every day is something that I think I still need,” Garcia said. “But as I grow and they help me go through that, I think I’ll be ready after the two years to go on my own, learn and have a whole new life experience.”
One of Garcia’s goals for the future includes making a difference in the world in a medicine-related field.
She has strong role models to follow in her father and sister, who went through the path she plans on following.
Dr. Avelino Garcia is currently an obstetrician-gynecologist in Odessa and Dr. Eliana Garcia just graduated from medical school.
Both family members showed the student-athlete how important hard work is in their desired field.
Eliana gives her sister advice on challenges she faced not too long ago, while Avelino inspires his daughter with stories of his past after coming to the U.S. in his mid 30s.
“Seeing both sides is really something that I learned from a lot,” Garcia said.
Permian tennis coach Thomas Bonds believes Garcia will make the most of the resource system behind her and she’ll accomplish anything she puts her mind to.
Bonds believes Garcia becoming a doctor is another example of her servant leadership.
“I think becoming a doctor is a way for her to give back,” Bonds said. “I think that’s why she does it, to kind of give back to others and help provide them with some of the opportunites she was given.”
Garcia doesn’t plan on playing competitive tennis in college, but she’ll stick with the sport as a hobby.
Her final act with the Permian tennis team included competing the Region I-6A Tournament in mixed doubles with Patricio Rios this year.
She worked consistently toward qualifying for regionals and said it felt unreal when the goal was accomplished.
“It was a really good learning experience and something that I’ll never forget from that,” Garcia said.
>> Follow Chris Amaya on Twitter at @OA_CAmaya
PAULA GARCIA
PERMIAN
>> Academic Rank: No. 5 (of 700)
>> Sports: Tennis
>> Academic bio: National Honor Society; Spanish National Honor Society (Parliamentarian); AP classes
>> Athletic bio: Tennis (4-year varsity member; No. 1 singles in 2021-22; regional tournament qualifier (mixed doubles, 2022)
>> Activities: Orchestra (Vice President; Satin Strings; Symphony; All-Region; UIL Concert and Sight Reading); Volunteer (LBJ Elementary); Junior Teen Leadership Program at Medical Center Hospital; Healers of Tomorrow-Native Health Initiative (Albuquerque, N.M.); Working on community music project for the elderly
>> College and major: Undecided (Biology)
>> Goals for the future: Making a difference in the community and world in a medicine-related field
>> Favorite subject: Macroeconomics
>> Favorite book: Percy Jackson and The Olympians: The Lightning Thief
>> Favorite musician: Queen
>> Role model: Elilana Garcia (older sister) who has just graduated from medical school
