Personal Statement
Hi my name is Elijah Juanico and I am Native American living in Albuquerque, New Mexico. I've lived both on the pueblo (reservation) and in different cities due to my dad being active military. I have always tried to put my culture and beliefs first, which makes me work twice as hard. I learned to adapt and juggle both worlds. I implement that hard work for baseball as well, I am the first to practice and the last to leave. I play baseball with my high school and travel clubs. When it comes to me being a student-athlete, my education is always first which has earned me consecutive semesters on the high school Honor Roll.
Since sports are almost 100% back in New Mexico, I have still been keeping true to myself by lifting weights and implementing cardio into my program. I have been practicing very hard and made the Elite New Mexico Wolves travel team this summer and fall.
On March 8th 2021, Albuquerque Public School lifted the ban on high school sports. Unfortunately the school that I use to attend opted out of all sports back in November 2020. I decided to make a transfer to the biggest class of school in my home district in order to continue high school baseball and further my experiences. After transferring I found out that I was not allowed to play baseball at any level for my new high school due to New Mexico Activities Association Amendments to their handbook for Covid-19. I went through the appeal process to play for my high school. I was successful in that process and that goes to show that with hard work, beliefs, focus, and determination you can achieve your goals.
Right now I am in my senior year and I am making the best of it with the same hard work and focus to get to college for my education and play baseball at the next level.
