Macy Alexander

Smiling, senior Macy Alexander poses for a photo with the cheer team that she coaches. Alexander works as a junior coach at Tumble Tech, an all-star cheerleading gym. “I’ve always been someone that loves little kids and loves to work with children,” Alexander said. “I think my favorite part would probably be getting to see all the littles that I work with improve and get better day by day and see how dedicated they are to better themselves.”

When asking teenagers about their favorite part of their job, some may say “the pay is good” or “it’s fun and easy.” But when asked about her favorite part of her job, junior Jenny Villarreal said it is the outfits her customers wear.

“They wear cute little hats and silk gloves,” Villareal said. “It’s so adorable. Even the little kids will put on their best dresses.”

Villarreal works for Austin English Tea, which hosts tea parties inside Michelle’s Patisserie. She is in six AP classes and participates in Red Cross, HOSA, and photography club. She said that her busy schedule has forced her to stop procrastinating.

“I used to procrastinate so much, but this year, I’m trying to cancel that out,” Villarreal said. “I think that’s one of the main things—just setting reminders to cancel out all the thoughts of any procrastination.”

Villarreal said she plans to use her earnings to fund her future endeavors such as medical school, where she plans on studying neuroscience or neuropsychology. According to Villarreal, her job has changed her mindset and helped her improve her communication skills.

“It’s made me have a self-realization that I can deal with more than I thought I could,” Villarreal said. “[My boss will] give me so many tasks, and usually I’m the type of person that needs to ask for each thing, but she’ll just give me a list of everything I need to do. And I know everything now and I’m glad I do.”

Senior Macy Alexander works as a junior coach at Tumble Tech, an all-star cheerleading gym. She competes with an all star team at the gym, as well as being on the school varsity cheer team. Alexander teaches children from the ages of five to ten in stunt classes.

“I’ve always been someone that loves little kids and loves to work with children,” Alexander said. “I think my favorite part would probably be getting to see all the littles that I work with improve and get better day by day and see how dedicated they are to better themselves.”

Alexander has worked at Tumble Tech since she was 13 years old. After she began working there, she switched gyms in order to compete with a team at Tumble Tech. Alexander is in Science National Honor Society, National English Honor Society and is on the principal’s advisory committee. Although she said she sometimes struggles to manage her time between school, two cheer teams, extracurriculars and her job, Alexander said she loves working at the gym.

“There were very long hours at the gym and I would just bring my homework and I would bring dinner,” Alexander said. “I’d have to bring all this stuff just so I could live a normal life. It’s definitely hard balancing everything. But I’ve gotten into a routine where my Mondays every week look the exact same, my Tuesdays look the same, my Wednesdays look the same, etc.”

Alexander said she hopes to potentially work as a cheer coach as a side job after she graduates high school because cheer is such a huge part of her life. She also said she is considering going into cosmetology or becoming a sonographer.

“Cheer has been a part of my life for so long,” Alexander said. “I’ve been a cheerleader since I was three. I can’t see myself not having some sort of cheer in my life.”

Junior Sophie Levano is a teaching assistant at Affinity Dance Unlimited, where she helps the dance teachers with choreography and classes. According to Levano, her favorite part of her job is working with kids. She said her job has helped her improve as a leader.

“Working there has helped me improve my social skills,” Levano said. “Working in groups has made me more comfortable with public settings, and it’s easier to converse with people.”

Levano also works with the administrative system at the studio and serves as a photographer. She is in three AP classes and competes on the dance team at her studio. She said that she has struggled to manage her time in the past but has found strategies to help.

“I would just say if you have a window of time where you’re not doing anything, just push through,” Levano said. “Try your best to finish your work, and don’t procrastinate or you’ll never do it.”

Senior Brinley Shuman works at Emler Swim School where she teaches children to swim. Shuman said her experiences as a child inspired her to become a swim instructor.

“When I was younger, I was always really afraid of the water,” Shuman said. “I want to be the teacher for kids who helps them overcome their fears. I want to be the teacher that I never had.”

Shuman is in four AP classes and does art and medical microbiology. Although she doesn’t have her future completely planned out yet, she said she can see herself working in the hospitality industry or working with children.

“[My job has] made me a lot more patient with others,” Shuman said. “I’ve realized that not everybody will get things right away, and [I’ve] just been able to help them where they’re at.”