Every year, from September 15 to October 15, Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated around the world in recognition of the contributions and influences that Hispanic Americans have had on the United States. During the month, we celebrate their history, culture, and historical figures that have paved the way for generations to come. 

I spoke with Liandra Taylor ’24, a junior, who is of Puerto Rican descent. In addition to her academic work, she is involved in Dancers Club, Black Scholars, and a member of the Varsity Volleyball team at Oak Knoll. She is also a grade representative on the new Student Diversity Leadership Board. The Board focuses on spreading awareness about underrepresented communities and supporting inclusivity.

I have been playing softball my whole life and it’s the only sport that I have stuck with while trying out new sports (trust me, I’ve tried a LOT of sports). I’m still not sure what drew me to softball. I don’t know if it was the high intelligence of the game, the people I played with, or the excessive amounts of gatorade that I drank during each game. Over time, I learned to balance softball’s intensity, highs and lows, and pressure. It is through those aspects where I learned lessons that have not just applied to sports, but to all areas of my life.