Real go-getter off & on court: Rivera has big goals, dreams
Manteca High’s Allison Rivera poses for a picture with some of her classmates during a conference for the Health Occupations Students of America. (Photo contributed)
By ISABELLA GILLETTE
The Tower
Manteca High’s Allison Rivera is the definition of a go-getter.
Allison Rivera plays for Manteca High’s junior varsity girls volleyball team. She plays as a defensive specialist and is a great team player, empowering her teammates.
Rivera is just as dynamic in the classroom, sporting a 4.0 GPA while juggling four different clubs and two-hour practices every day.
Rivera has a natural work ethic and drive when it comes to something she wants.
Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) is one of the major clubs Allison Rivera is in. HOSA is designed for students who would like to pursue a career in health care.
One of Rivera’s major dreams is to be a surgeon. She understands that it will take a lot out of her, and she is ready for the ride.
I like to be involved because I love to be in the background of stuff and experience things that happen from the ground up. It always feels better when you help make something big happen rather than watching from the sidelines.
Allison Rivera, Manteca High student
Rivera has always been a leader in her pack.
In middle school, at Sequoia Elementary, she was student council president two years in a row. She was in charge of rallies and held meetings to keep everything in check.
She has continued to fill a leadership role, serving as a secretary in Manteca High’s leadership class.
The Tower reached out to one of the school’s busiest students for an interview to further understand her driven personality. Rivera found time for a few questions.
The Tower: Why do you like to be involved in Manteca High?
Allison Rivera: I like to be involved because I love to be in the background of stuff and experience things that happen from the ground up. It always feels better when you help make something big happen rather than watching from the sidelines.
TT: How do you manage your time to stay productive?
AR: Being a student athlete, I get out of volleyball practice around 6 p.m. That doesn’t always leave much time for my personal stuff and my homework. So, I like to get on top of my work as soon as I get home.
TT: What activities have/are you doing that prepare you for your future?
AR: I’ve done more than 100 hours of community service. I’ve participated in group projects with other students. I’m also wanting to do college classes with dual enrollment.
TT: How do you create time for yourself with everything on your plate?
AR: I don’t procrastinate, because procrastination leaves no time for myself and the things I want to do. So it is much better to just get things out of the way.
TT: What keeps you driven to be an overachiever?
AR: Definitely seeing my future; the feeling of wanting to be something better in the future and envisioning actually seeing my dreams come true definitely keeps me driven to always go above and beyond.
TT: Do you plan on going to college? If so, what college?
AR: I do plan on going to a four-year college. If I am dreaming big – Stanford. If not then, San Jose State because they have a good volleyball program.