With two seconds on the clock and the ball in her hands, Paola Ortega pulled up for a three-pointer. The shot fell, sealing the game just before regionals and sending her teammates into celebration. “It was crazy,” Ortega said. “A great experience, and so much positivity in that game.”
Now a senior at Laverne High School, Ortega looks back on a high school career full of growth, faith, and leadership. A three-sport athlete in basketball, track, and powerlifting, she has represented her school with pride on and off the court.
Ortega plays point guard in basketball, sprint events in track, and competes in squat, bench, and deadlift in powerlifting. Her journey started with limited playing time as a freshman, but she used those moments to grow. “It made me realize I needed to step up,” she said. “I worked hard and stayed in the gym.”
By senior year, she had become a team leader known for her encouragement and energy. “I stayed positive in every game—win or lose—and that really shaped me,” she said.
Throughout her athletic journey, Ortega leaned on her faith, family, and coaches. “My mom is my biggest role model,” she said. “We do Bible studies together, and that’s helped me grow mentally and spiritually. I always try to put God first.”
Balancing three sports and school was not easy, but Ortega credits her teachers for helping her stay ahead. “Anytime I needed help, they were there for me,” she said.
Outside of sports, Ortega enjoys spending time with her family and friends, going to church, and playing pickleball. As she prepares to graduate, she plans to attend the University of Central Oklahoma and pursue a nursing degree.
Looking back, Ortega describes her high school years with three words: accomplishments, spirit, and family.
