FEATURED SENIOR ATHLETE: Raigan Chavez, Greencastle

Raigan is a senior at Greencastle and participates in four sports, soccer, basketball, softball and track.

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Banner Graphic: How important are sports to you, and what have you learned from them?

Raigan Chavez: “I’ve played basketball since third grade and I’ve played softball since I can remember. I played soccer sophomore year as I didn’t play a fall sport and my friends said I should come play. It was fun to be with friends and playing a competitive sport. Coach Kendall asked me to run this year and I thought it would be fun to be with friends and compete.”

BG: Talk about your sports.

RC: “Sports are incredibly important to me. I’ve played sports my entire life. They’ve taught me how to work with a team, patience, how to express myself and how to suppress my feelings when I need to, how to deal with pressure and many other life lessons, all from any sport I’ve ever played.”

BG: What’s the most embarrassing thing that has happened to you in sports?

RC: “This year, at Cascade during softball, we played on a turf field. I laid down a really good bunt but the turf was wet, so I ran in place for about five seconds before moving.”

BG: What does your game day routine look like?

RC: “I usually just wake up, go to school, think about the event, go home, eat a little bit and go do my thing.”

BG: Do you have any favorite college/pro sports teams or athletes you follow?

RC: “I watch a lot of college softball. I admire every athlete that has put time, effort work and passing into everything.”

BG: What else do you do at school besides things involving sports?

RC: “A lot of homework and studying.”

BG: What do you like to do outside of school and sports?

RC: “I really enjoy hanging out with friends as much as I can and try to find something to do with them, whether it’s going on drives, going out of town or being in our rooms. I enjoy being around people.”

BG: What are your favorites in movies, TV and music?

RC: “I’m a really big fan of horror movies. I like ‘True Crime’ and enjoy every kind of music. I’m big on listening to music as it’s relaxing to me.”

BG: If you’re home for the night and can’t go anywhere, are you a person that wants to watch TV shows and movies with Hulu and Netflix or stream something from YouTube, Twitch, TikTok etc.?

RC: “I’d definitely get on TikTok first.”

BG: What is something you have never done before that you would like to do someday?

RC: “I’d like to travel to different countries, preferably ones with a beach.”

BG: What is your biggest fear?

RC: “Probably the dark and being away from everyone I know.”

BG: You’ve been placed in charge of making dinner. What’s on the menu?

RC: “I make a mean grilled cheese. I’d probably also make some spaghetti.”

BG: Do you have any pets?

RC: “I have a dog, Max.”

BG: If your house were on fire, all living things were already out and you have your keys, cell phone, wallet/purse etc., what is one thing you would go back and get?

RC: “I’d grab anything that my grandma gave me. It doesn’t matter what it is as long as it was from her.”

BG: If you were to describe your personality in one word, what would that word be and why?

RC: “I’d say athletic. I’ve only ever done sports. That’s all I do.”

BG: What has been your favorite place to visit?

RC: “Probably my grandpa’s house down in Florida.”

BG: What was your favorite school field trip?

RC: “My second grade field trip to the zoo. My mom came with me and that’s the only one she came with me to.”

BG: How important is support from your family and classmates to your success?

RC: “It’s very, very important. They’ve always supported me, helping me with anything I’ve needed, pushed me to practice and go as hard as I can.”

BG: Describe your overall school experience both academically and athletically

RC: “It’s been difficult at times. I took honors and AP classes, so I really had to focus on that when we had a lot of games and practices, but it was manageable.”

BG: If your school was to offer a class it currently doesn’t, what would you want to see taught?

RC: “More classes in social sciences. We had psychology and sociology, but I would like to see something more in depth.

”BG: What are your plans for after high school, and what career are you headed toward?

RC: “I’m going to attend Point Park University in downtown Pittsburgh, majoring in psychology and minoring in biology, before heading to med school to hopefully become a psychologist.”

BG: Is it difficult to keep up with your school work being an athlete?

RC: “At times, it was really difficult, especially when we had late nights or rough practices, but I got it done, whether it was that night, in the morning or during class.”

BG: Which particular classes and teachers have helped you the most in high school?

RC: “Every teacher I’ve ever had has been patient and helped me, giving me time when I needed it. I enjoyed the psychologist and sociology classes, as well as any class with Mr. Kingma.”

BG: In the future, if you had your choice, would you want to live in the mountains, on the beach or in the neighborhood?

RC: “Down by the beach,”

BG: Do you think high school has gone fast, and are you going to miss it?

RC: “It went by extremely fast. Sophomore year, when we got shutdown, feels like it was just yesterday. I’ll miss seeing friends all the time and just messing around. College is going to be different.”