To say that Skylar Sanchez is well rounded would be an understatement.
Not only was he a strong student, but he was a two-sport athlete, a student government representative and a member of the National Honor Society. Skylar has tried a bit of everything during his years at Patagonia Union High School, and closes that chapter of his life as salutatorian.
What he’s most proud of, however, didn’t happen in the classroom or even in Patagonia, where he has lived since he was 1 year old. It’s the fact that he was picked not once but twice to go on a trip to Washington, D.C., with Civics Matters Arizona, an organization that offers programs that help students build the skills they need to contribute to a stronger democracy.
“Yeah, I got lucky and got to do it twice,” says Sanchez, who was selected both times based on essays he submitted with an application. “It was so nice to get to see something outside of Arizona, and just to get to congregate and talk to other people. It’s always good to travel.”
Inspiration at school came during a poetry class taught by Journee Hayes, in which he learned a new way to express himself.
“It just made it a lot easier to learn how to understand what I was feeling and then express it clearly,” says Sanchez (son of William and Lindy Sanchez).
To keep his mind sharp during his free time, Sanchez played chess with a good friend and online.
“It’s a way to be competitive without physical exertion,” Sanchez says, adding that it’s “nice to exercise the mind.”
That’s not to say that Sanchez doesn’t enjoy physical exertion. It’s quite the opposite.
Keeping in shape is one of his priorities and the focus of his future career. Sanchez plans to earn a certification as a personal trainer and then go to work at a gym. Eventually he’d like to have his own clients.
Ever since he started working out, he says, he has enjoyed learning about the mechanics behind how the body moves and why some exercises are more effective than others. He hopes to share his passion with others and “give people that confidence that comes from being in better shape and being able to have a better quality of life.”
Skylar is grateful for the family and friends who encouraged him to take advantage of every opportunity that came his way.
When thinking about other factors in his success so far, Sanchez said it’s important to “enjoy the journey.”
“Instead of just trying to focus purely on the goal, you can also enjoy the things that are happening as you try to reach hat goal.”