Natalia Cano

My story is like no other. From a young age, I have always been an energetic, positive, and outgoing girl who strives to put her trust in God as life moves forward. I firmly believe that everything happens for a reason, and as long as I follow His will, I know He has my back. Hard times come for everyone, but I have learned that God places challenges in our path, not to break us, but because He knows we have the strength to overcome them. My life has been full of ups and downs, but through it all, I have come to appreciate every experience that has shaped me into the person I am today.
Growing up, my life was filled with joy, laughter, and adventure. I was always running around with my cousins and friends, embracing the world with wide-eyed curiosity. But as I got older and started school, I began noticing that I learned a little differently than my classmates. While others grasped new concepts quickly, I often needed more time to understand and process information. At first, I didn’t understand why. Despite these struggles, I always looked up to my older brother. He was only a year ahead of me in school, but everything seemed to come so easily for him. He could grasp concepts effortlessly, excel in his studies, and always seemed to succeed without much struggle. I wanted to be just like him, so I pushed myself harder than anyone realized. I set high expectations for myself, striving to match his achievements. But, no matter how hard I worked, I could never quite reach the same level of ease that he had.
This frustration led to my teachers suggesting that I be tested for dyslexia. At first, I was scared—what if this meant I wasn’t as smart as everyone else? But in reality, my diagnosis was a blessing. Learning that I was dyslexic helped me understand why I had struggled for so long, and more importantly, it gave me the tools and support I needed to overcome my challenges. Then I knew God would give me this because He knows I am strong enough to go through it and find ways to overcome it. Dyslexia became one of the biggest obstacles I have ever faced, but it also taught me resilience, adaptability, and problem-solving skills that many others never get the chance to develop. I realized that I wasn’t incapable—I simply learned in a different way.
Another defining aspect of my life has been sports. From the time I was little, athletics have played a huge role in shaping who I am. Every coach I’ve had has influenced my life in different ways, teaching me valuable lessons that extend far beyond the field or court. One of the most important things I’ve learned through sports is the power of perseverance. To grow as an athlete, you need confidence, but you also need patience. No one starts off being great; you have to push through failures, setbacks, and moments of doubt. In my own journey, I’ve experienced this firsthand.
When I first started playing volleyball, I wasn’t very athletic. I was overweight, uncoordinated, and lacked the skills that many of my teammates had. Instead of supporting me, some of the girls on my team laughed at me and made fun of the way I played. Their words and actions hurt deeply, and there were many moments when I wanted to quit. I felt like I didn’t belong, and I started questioning whether I was meant to be there. But my mom refused to let me give up. She pushed me to keep going, to show up to practice even when I didn’t want to, and to prove to myself that I was capable of improving. I trusted her, even when I didn’t fully believe in myself.
The following season, I returned stronger and more determined. I trained harder than ever, dedicated myself to improving my skills, and focused on proving—both to myself and to those who doubted me—that I belonged on that team. Instead of allowing their negativity to bring me down, I chose to rise above it. I even made an effort to befriend the same girls who had once laughed at me, showing them that I refused to be brought down by their words. Over time, I fell in love with volleyball in a way I never imagined possible. Today, the sport is a huge part of my life, and I can’t imagine where I would be without it. Later on, I was put in club volleyball and when I tried out for a team, I unfortunately was not skilled enough to make a team at my age. Yet the head coach saw a “light in me” that had so much passion and potential for the game, so he called my mom a while later and told her he created a team for me to grow and learn to be a skilled player. Now I am on his top team for my age group and one of the best in El Paso.
Volleyball has taught me patience—not only with myself but with others. I know what it feels like to struggle, to be the one who isn’t as skilled as the rest of the team. Because of that, I now try to help others who are in the same position I was once in. I want to be the kind of teammate who encourages, supports, and uplifts, rather than tears others down.
Beyond academics and sports, my faith has been one of the most important guiding forces in my life. From a young age, I loved going to church and serving as an altar server. My dad always told me that altar servers weren’t just helping the priest—they were angels helping God share His word with others while serving Him at the alter. That perspective changed everything for me, making my role in church feel even more meaningful. As I grew older, I realized that while I loved serving, I also wanted to step back and give younger kids the same opportunity to experience it. Now, I choose to sit with my family in the pews, listening to the priest’s message, worshiping in song, and allowing myself to fully absorb God’s word.
Faith has given me strength in my hardest moments. It has taught me that setbacks are not failures but lessons. It has shown me that even when I feel lost, God is always guiding me. Because of this, I have developed a deep desire to make a difference in the world.
As I continue on my journey, I know that God has a purpose for me. I want to create a space where people feel safe—where they can grow, overcome their struggles, and discover their own strength. Whether that means working in sports, coaching, or following another professional path, I am still figuring it out. But I trust that God will lead me exactly where I am meant to be. I believe that I was put on this earth to make a change. I want to help people see that they are capable of more than they think, to teach them that setbacks do not define them. I want to encourage others to have faith in themselves, just as I have learned to have faith in God’s plan for me. 
My journey is still unfolding, and I know that there will be many more challenges ahead. But I am ready for them. Because through every struggle, every setback, and every moment of doubt, I have learned one thing: I am stronger than I ever thought possible. And with God by my side, there is nothing I cannot overcome.