The school community has been clicking for senior Gaby Paredes for the Miami Herald student athlete of the week for the last few days. This goalie deserves her 15 minutes of fame. Paredes has chased a soccer ball and blocked goals her whole life and is OLLA’s athlete of the week.

1. When did you first start playing soccer?
I first started playing soccer when I was 3 years old.

2. What is your favorite thing about being part of a team?
My favorite thing about being part of a team is having another family. My team is like my second family and we have such a fun time together.

3. What is your favorite thing about being a bobcat?
My favorite thing about being a bobcat is definitely my class and the atmosphere of closeness and sisterhood the school has created for us.

4. What is your favorite school subject?
My favorite school subject is math.

5. What has been the highlight of your soccer career?
The highlight of my soccer career was probably stopping the penalty kick in the Regional Semi-finals against Doral last year.

6. How do you feel about being nominated for miami herald’s player of the week?
I honestly feel super shocked, grateful, and honored. I had no idea until a friend posted about it.

7. What is your dream job?
To be honest… no idea. But something I think I’d like would be to somehow work for an NFL team as someone in management or finance.

8. What event here at OLLA do you think has shaped you the most?
Encounter was definitely an experienced that shaped me into who I am today and how I treat others.

9. Which has been your favorite year at the school so far and why?
Despite all the hardships we’ve experienced this year, I think my senior year has been my best. It has felt like the most normal year after COVID and I feel like I’ve found my true friends and have gotten the most involved in the school.

10. How do you think the school has helped you become a better player?
I think the school has helped me become a better player through the immense support from students and faculty in all of the soccer games over the years. This has inspired me to want to work hard to be able to play on the field that I once dreamed of as a little girl. Lastly, great coaching and being part of the states send off has made me want to be more influential on the team, leading me to be a better player.