Florence Barrera has always loved trying something new. The constant rotation of hobbies allows them to explore more facets of creativity, meet new people and find new features of athleticism. Barrera always finds a new adventure around every corner, whether with her friends or alone.
After being on a low-key soccer team in middle school, Barrera chose to join the SPA team when she transferred to the school in her 9th-grade year. They said, “It had a lot of really nice people, and it was fun.” Despite their lack of experience, Barrera beat their fears and became the goalie.
“It’s kinda a scary position,” Barrera said, but in the face of a challenge, she found the fun, and now her favorite part of the game is contributing by saving a ball. They can’t wait to continue playing in the coming years and getting to know the welcoming girls on the team.

Coming up in the spring is their first softball season. Her basis for joining the team is her experience with her cousin’s visits. They have fond memories of them, their cousins and their grandpa playing ball for a couple of hours in a field somewhere: “Not serious, not too hard, just throw balls, hit them, catch them,” Barrera said. She is excited to translate this experience into the school season, as well as looking forward to becoming a part of the team and getting closer with some friendly acquaintances.
Another branch of hobbies is the arts and crafts that Barrera enjoys. Always the kid with crayons, they have long been interested in creating. Barrera has explored this through painting, drawing and crocheting. Currently, she is in a drawing class at school. “I really like that class… and I have sketchbooks at home that I’ll draw in,” Barrera said.

Painting is a “more taxing” artistic hobby as it requires much more commitment in both time and skill. Ceramics is similar, and despite being one of their favorite mediums because of the messy nature, it’s more challenging for them to get their hands on it.
Barrera looks forward to future classes that SPA has to offer that will allow her to pursue art not as a career but as a hobby, and help her to have a good “work-school life.”
With a lot in store for their future, art, athletics and various other activities will stick with Barrera, bringing them joy in their free time.