Los Fresnos News

Los Fresnos High School Top 10 Spotlight: Nicholas Valencia

Los Fresnos’ Nico Valencia signs his letter of intent to play football this fall at Columbia University in New York City. Photo courtesy Rio Sports Live

Los Fresnos CISD

Parents: Gladys Galarza
Sibling: Enrique Valencia, 19 (Yale Class of 2023)
Previous schools attended: Lopez-Riggins Elementary and Los Cuates Middle School
College: Columbia University
Sport: Football
Major: Financial Economics
Post-bachelor’s degree: Undecided

Inspiration for academic success: My mother always stressed the importance of academics. In my earlier years, she would not let me play sports if I had a grade of B. I would say that was definitely a big motivator for me growing up.

Study habits: I did not have any particular study habits. I would mostly just work around my practice and workout schedule. Sometimes I would stay up late, wake up early, do my work at school or procrastinate. I would try to squeeze my work in whenever I could, before school, in between classes, staying after school, etc. Although I always tried to avoid procrastination, being a part of athletics and other extracurricular activities, it was almost impossible at times to work on assignments in a timely manner. Nonetheless, as a student-athlete, you have to prioritize. I’ve always worked well under pressure and it was a fun rush working on assignments last minute.

Career plans: I hope to be a Chief Financial Officer (CFO) or Chief Executive Officer (CEO) in a large business, a Wall-Street broker or the owner of my own business. I have always imagined myself working in the business world. I am not sure exactly where my career path will be headed but I know it will be business related.

Advice to younger students to succeed academically: Seventh grade was the turning point of my academic and athletic journey. That is where I began placing a deep importance on academics and developing constructive habits that I carried throughout high school. This was also the year where sports was no longer a hobby but a time-consuming commitment. I would tell that student to be curious, to challenge yourself and have confidence in your abilities. By being a part of Los Fresnos CISD, you have the necessary tools to accomplish great things. Balancing academics and athletics is definitely not an easy deed but nonetheless possible if you truly set your mind to it. You have to be proactive in your education and whatever goals you may have can be accomplished if you truly work for them.