Anasofia Salinas Inspires Those Around Her With Her Work Ethic and Enthusiasm

Anasofia Salinas, a senior at Watauga High School, dancing with the Pacers before a football game. Salinas is the Captain of the Pacer dance team this year, and is in charge of planning practices, obtaining uniforms, and many other logistics involved with putting together a strong performance. “There's no ego there,” said Ms. Laura Carson, the Career Development Coordinator and Pacer Coach at WHS. “She's tough, but she's kind, and so when she critiques, it's out of kindness, and it's to make the team better, which is just a beautiful thing to watch.” Photo Credits: Watauga Yearbook

Rebecca Billette, Editor-in-Chief of The Powderhorn

Anasofia Salinas is frequently at the front of classrooms, whether she’s leading an Interact Club meeting, choreographing a new dance for the Pacers, or fulfilling her role as Senior Class President. While her to-do list would make anyone shudder, she handles her tasks with diligence and kindness, serving as a role model for everyone around her.

“Her leadership style is friendly. She likes to make everyone feel comfortable in a given space,” said Charlie Stumb, a fellow senior and member of Student Council. “She also likes to be really on top of her work. For example, the other day, as Student Body Vice President, I'm involved with the planning of Homecoming, and she leads elections, so she is organizing court. I went into the court folder of the Student Council drive, and I came to realize that she had already completed all of court planning, several weeks early.” 

Salinas has taken on more leadership roles than most, additionally serving as Vice President of Design Club, a Pioneer Ambassador, and a volunteer with STEMkids. Such a stressful senior year would lead anyone to question her reason for imparting such a workload on herself. The answer is inspiring: connection with her peers.

“I really love talking, in all seriousness. I love talking, and I really like getting to know people. I feel like when you're in a position of leadership, you're obligated to get to know the people you're leading,” said Salinas. “So, that really helps me to find new groups and introduce myself.”

Salinas’s extraordinary involvement at Watauga High School offers her many opportunities to foster relationships with students and staff alike. Despite her sheer volume of tasks to do, she is known for completing each one in a careful and timely fashion and fulfilling her roles with grace and tenacity.

“Anasofia is the Vice President of Design Club,” said senior Savannah Duvall, the club’s Founder and President. “She assists me in presentations, planning, and various other tasks. She stands out in her role because she is constantly thinking ahead and gives her best to any job at hand.”

Salinas not only fulfills her duties effectively and carefully, but she also maintains a sense of modesty and earnestness and puts a significant amount of effort into giving back to her community.

“She's very humble about it. I'm going to think back to last year, this time- after the hurricane. She lives in town, she wasn't affected; she was here every day helping,” Ms. Laura Carson, the Pacer Coach, recalled. “I think that speaks a lot about her character.” 

With all these responsibilities and a seemingly flawless attitude to match, Salinas serves as an exemplary role model to her peers. However, like every student, she still faces her struggles.

“A challenge is definitely just always having so many things that have to be done at all times. I never have an empty to-do list,” said Salinas. “I think my time management, building that skill, really helped me because I'm really good about being efficient with my time, and I can get a lot of stuff done in small amounts of time. If I have an extra 10 minutes of class, I'm going to get something else done. I'm not just going to rest.”

Salinas maintains her position by constantly putting in her maximum effort and being efficient with her time. She often wakes up as early as 4:30 a.m. in order to complete all of her homework before going to school or a club meeting. However, she always manages to have a smile on her face and a positive attitude toward her peers.

“Anasofia brings light to the people around her and is consistently encouraging others with genuine kindness and compassion,” said Duvall.

Many students look up to Salinas and aspire to mimic her strong work ethic and feel inspired by her infectious enthusiasm.

“She's really encouraging, just the fact that she does her work so efficiently and so well helps other people get their work done as well,” said Stumb. “She’s a role model for people in the clubs that she participates in, just in her work ethic, and also her confidence definitely inspires people.”

Salinas keeps up with her many responsibilities by being diligent and deliberate with her time management. She takes on her workload, not for the accolades, but for a genuine connection with those around her. The mix of her dedicated nature and inspiring attitude makes her both a kind and effective leader, a combination that is hard to find, but one that is most certainly appreciated.

“That's one of the things I love about education,” said Ms. Carson, “You find these students and it makes you also want to be a better person.
I want to be a better coach because she's such a good captain.”