When it comes to motivation, Alexandra Cruz Rivera seems to have plenty to spare.
During those precious hours when she’s not representing the senior class at ASB meetings, running for the cross country or track and field teams, cheering on the sidelines at sports events, or serving as sports editor for The Sunburst, Cruz Rivera somehow manages to maintain a 4.8 GPA and perform with Del Oro’s band, orchestra, and mariachi group – and that’s not even mentioning all her other responsibilities outside of school.
“I have a lot of friends and family – well, and I have Davy (Gomez),” she said, referring to her boyfriend, fellow senior cross country runner Davy Gomez. “They let me know everything’s going to be all right whenever I feel stressed.”
Cruz Rivera said her friends and family make sure she makes time for herself and reminds her to take plenty of breaks whenever possible.
Cruz Rivera spent her freshman year at South High, where she served as a freshman class representative and ran for the Spartans’ varsity track and field team. After getting used to high school, she started getting more involved in school events and doing more things, such as sports. Cruz Rivera’s track experience quickly led her to acquire a new hobby in running and meeting new people that would later on become great friends.
As a sophomore, Alexa (as she’s known by her friends) joined Del Oro’s cross country team – a tight-knit group that regards her as the most motivating of teammates.
“She really motivates me to do better as a person and keep my grades up,” said Gomez, who has dated Cruz Rivera since Valentine’s Day of 2023.
Senior Miley Hernandez Moreno, who is also on the cross country team, agreed with Gomez that Cruz Rivera has a talent for inspiring the team.
“When Alexa comes around it’s a very cheerful day,” Hernandez Moreno said. “Everything just lights up when she comes by. She makes you feel like you are a good runner and you are wanted in a very truthful way.”
Hernandez Moreno also described her teammate as “very cutesy and very demure.”
“She can tell when you are upset and is very easy to talk to and doesn’t degrade you,” Hernandez Moreno said.
Academically, Cruz Rivera is currently ranked second in her class but said her goal is to be Del Oro’s first valedictorian – the student with the highest GPA and notable extracurricular accomplishments and service time. Being class valedictorian is realistic for Cruz Rivera, who participated last year in the first Early College History Conference at California State University, Bakersfield, where she presented a 14-page paper on the topic of the struggles of distance running by women throughout history.
Outside of school, Cruz Rivera participates in the Ford Dream Builders and Experience Berkeley Ambassador programs. She is the first Del Oro senior chosen for the Ford Dream Builders program and was selected out of more than 200 applicants throughout the District.
Although Cruz Rivera’s post-graduation goals remain undecided, she said she’s interested in majoring in either Biology, Kinesiology, or Psychology in college.
“I was interested in becoming a pediatrician, but I am not yet sure if I want to follow through that career path,” she said.
