By Derrick Smith

Throughout their career, athletes put in a lot of work to be the best they can be. But in order to do all that work, there has to be something that drives them and helps keep them focused on reaching their goals. Gissela Ramirez says that there are two groups that do a great job of keeping her on task. 

“My biggest motivation would be the little girls who attend our annual soccer camps,” she said. “They have so much room to grow as people and in soccer and I’m inspired to be part of that process. My teammates are also a big motivation to me because they push me to be a better player and I want to help them to be better players too.”

Ramirez is a junior at Enid High School, where she plays holding mid, center mid, and center back for the soccer team. She says that her life has been influenced by a number of people but there are a few people that she is close to that have had the biggest impact on her. 

“My biggest role models would be my siblings; Sandra Sanchez, Arely Ramirez, Lizbeth Neri, and Alex Ramirez,” she said. “They guide me and lead me in a successful direction and I appreciate that like nothing else. My great friends Jarely Casillas and Hellentina John have been great influences on me and helped me along the way.”

Gissela enjoys playing and competing on the soccer field. She say that out of all the matches she has played in, there have been some great moments, but there is one opponent that she enjoys going up against the most.
“As of right now, the highlight of my career would be an assist that was a big play in the game,” she said. “I played a solid ball through two Ponca City girls and gave Baylee Ross the opportunity to score the tie-breaking goal. It was a great play but I also enjoy beating Ponca City anytime because they are one of our rivals and we seem to always play a great match.”

Along with sports, Gissela is a member of EHS Works, a Happy Hour Marketing Intern, Student Council Vice President, Upward Bound, and Platinum E.