Alyse Lovato, daughter of José and Danielle Lovato, is a junior at Questa High School. Born in Colorado, Alyse, along with her parents and older sister Angelica, moved back home to Questa when Alyse was just one year old. Alyse spends a lot of time with her immediate and extended family. “To me, family is everything,” she says. Along with family and hanging out with her friends, academics and sports play a big role in her life.
Alyse has been a member of the Honor Society since the 7th grade. Currently, math and culinary arts are Alyse’s favorite classes. “I especially like my culinary arts class because we get to do projects in different groups, and I get to talk to new people, which I really like.”
When asked where this dedication to being a good student comes from, Alyse says she has always been encouraged by her parents, but her biggest motivator for doing well in school comes from watching her older sister Angelica excel and continue to do well after high school. Alyse’s advice to her younger classmates is, “Don’t wait to try to make up for lack of studies in the second half of the school year. Do well from the start.”
Being a straight-A student comes with hard work and dedication. Piling on sports, community service, and several extracurricular activities makes Alyse a very busy 16-year-old. Honor Society membership requires community service work. Alyse’s service has included volunteering with the food pantry, Earth Day clean-ups, and organizing field day activities for Alta Vista Elementary School, where her youngest sibling Andrew attends. “I really enjoy doing things for the community. It makes me happy to help, and I think it brings joy to lots of people,” says Alyse.
Another thing that brings joy to Alyse’s life is her faith journey. “I have participated in the Pilgrimage for Vocations for two years now. Yes, people are walking for vocations, but people carry their own crosses as well. Those who walk are truly there for you throughout the experience, and it’s a great way to increase your faith and create lasting bonds with people. This summer will be my third year to make the 100-mile journey.” Alyse has also been involved with the St. Anthony Church youth group for five years, another way for teenagers to continue their faith journey. Her faith is influenced by her immediate and extended family, with her parents as her first teachers. Alyse looks up to her grandpa, Malaquías Jr., who she says has made a big impact on her faith. “I really look up to him for advice… he is always involved with church activities.”
For fun, Alyse likes to cook and bake, skills she gets from her mom, Danielle. “I’ve learned to bake from my mom, and it’s something I love to do.” Alyse has a couple of stories of baking failures that will make you laugh.
Sports have always come naturally to Alyse. As a child, she started off in soccer and eventually added basketball to her repertoire. In 8th grade, Alyse started participating in track. She has competed with some of the best high school track athletes in New Mexico and proven that she’s a fierce competitor, having had a very successful spring 2024 season. “My family has always supported my sports, and my dad has never missed a basketball game.”
With her senior year right around the corner, Alyse is thinking ahead and has an idea of what she wants to do after high school. “I have always been fascinated by women who are pregnant. I think it’s a beautiful thing. I want to go into the medical field and become an ultrasound technician,” says Alyse.
After speaking with Alyse, you get the feeling of a quiet tenacity within this kind and considerate teenager—a spirit that not only allows her to be unphased on the basketball court and track field but one that comes with a drive that she uses to continue to push her limits.
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Experience working with the USDA Forest Service and extensive knowledge of the northern region, while maintaining and fostering strong community relationships remain a big priority.
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