We received a nomination for Joshlyn Medina to be recognized in our November Outstanding Youth Report. Medina is a 16-year-old artistic, spirited, and outgoing junior at Questa High School.
Medina has lived in Questa her whole life and enjoys being from a small town. “You get to know everybody and people are there for you. It is a really nice community and you know everyone here,” says Medina. She also expresses how being from a small town allows you to be involved in what you want. “I like that if you want to join something, you can,” says Medina.
Since she was four years old, Medina has been involved with cheer and it remains her favorite sport. “I love the friendships you make in cheer and the bond you create with people and it really becomes another family,” expresses Medina. In fifth grade she joined the volleyball team. She really enjoys learning new things, interacting with her teammates, but also making connections with other girls from small towns just like Questa.
She comes from a big family and family is a very important part of her life, as well as extracurricular activities since her mom, Maria, and godmother, Angel, are her cheer coaches. “I have a pretty big family and they listen to me and don’t judge me. I feel like I can be really open with them,” Medina says.
Being involved in multiple sports keeps Medina busy but she manages to also be an honor student. She’s been a member of the Honor Society since she was a freshman and is currently taking a college course in psychology.
One thing you need to know about Medina is that she’s an artist. From music to movies to creating her own art, Medina sees herself potentially making this a career choice. She enjoys using multiple mediums, from pencil to watercolor, and her current favorite is experimenting with oil pastels.
Although Medina loves Questa, she wants to experience the big city someday and maybe even another state, but thinks she eventually would want to return to Questa.
Her biggest role model is her mom. “She knows herself and knows her limitations. I think that’s really important because some people don’t. I look up to her a lot. I admire that she pushed through and recently earned her college degree,” Medina says proudly.
The advice Medina gives the younger kids who want to be involved in multiple sports is to go for it. “Worry about yourself and your limitations. I think it’s important to push yourself instead of being timid about something. If you have the opportunity, go for it,” says Medina. When she graduates next year she sees herself attending art school and maybe looking into a degree in psychology.
