BY CELESTE MONTES

Every year, five students from each school are chosen to be scholar athletes. Andrew Pineda was one of our own Bulldogs who was chosen for his athletic and academic ability. As a freshmen, Pineda was involved in track running the half mile and in basketball playing as the center on the frosh team. “I choose these sports because they interested me,” said Pineda. In his sophomore year, he was in varsity track, varsity cross country and varsity basketball. During his junior year, he played the same sports and positions; for his senior year, he began playing volleyball as the middle blocker. When asked how he manages to keep a 4.3 cumulative GPA and a varsity player in all the sports he participates in he responded, “I know when its business time and I know when its study time.” It makes it easier that Pineda does not have any distractions like TV and social networking. “My family inspires me, my brother’s friends Irene, Monique, and Brianna. They go to my events and competitions and motivate me to be better. My parents are supportive and always have food ready for me after practice,” said Pineda. What Pineda will miss the most about high school is living with his family and the people he has been going to school with these past four years. In the fall, Pineda will be attending Boston University. He still is not sure if he will be participating in any college sports. He was awarded the Dean Scholarship from Boston and this is one of many awards he has received. He was also awarded First Team All League his sophomore year for cross country, Academic All League his junior year for track, AP Scholar with Honors his junior year, but these are just a few of the awards of the many he has received. The award that stands out to him the most is the Hacienda 5 , “I was surprised. I didn’t know they would pick someone from cross country since it is a lesser known sport,” said Pineda. His advice to underclassmen is, “You got to stay focused and know what you want; you have to have your priorities and time management straight.”