Char O’Neil is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Paradise Valley for AZPreps365.com

From juggling school, volleyball, and planning a quinceañera, Paradise Valley’s Midaly Campillo-Ramirez has learned the value of having a reliable support system.

For the past two years, Campillo-Ramirez has been preparing for her quinceañera. This preparation involves selecting a venue, choosing music, purchasing a dress, and practicing dances. 

During this season, Campillo-Ramirez’s family expects her to prioritize school and then the party, which results in her missing out on volleyball. 

“I leave early a couple times a week, and I have missed two games,” Campillo-Ramirez said. “I try to make them [the coaches] understand the value [of the quinceañera] and what I am passionate about; I try to communicate that with them as best as I can.”

Heading into the season, Campillo-Ramirez feared that she would be kicked off the team due to the fact she had an infrequent commitment to the sport. Instead, her coaches and teammates have been understanding during this time. 

“My coaches have excused me, I actually thought they were going to kick me off the team,” Campillo-Ramirez said. “But they have been really understanding, dismissing me out of practice, and even letting me know when it is time for me to go.”

Varsity volleyball head coach Jessica Spencer acknowledges the challenge of balancing athletics and one’s interests outside of their sport. 

“Everyone should feel free to explore their interests and be supported,” Spencer said. “It is a hard balance, because if they are not at practice, they are not getting better, and it only works as a team.”

To Campillo-Ramirez, the quinceañera is about growing as a woman. Specifically, in regard to growing as a woman in her father’s eyes. 

“It means to grow as a woman,” Campillo-Ramirez said. “It represents how my dad and my mom, mostly my dad, are going to let me be more independent. Where I am overcoming the stage of pre-teen years of learning.”

Campillo-Ramirez wanted to thank her teammates for supporting her by inviting them to share this special moment. 

“I invited my whole team as well as my coaches,” Campillo-Ramirez said. “They have been supporting me. My coaches have been so understanding; they have been excusing me. I want to make them a part of it; I want them to enjoy it with me.” 

Spencer recalls how supportive and excited the team was after receiving the invitations. Paradise Valley volleyball junior Zoe Bustamante also remembers the significance of when Campillo-Ramirez handed out the invitations.

“I remember when Midaly handed out her invitations to the quince,” Bustamante said. “Everyone was so happy to be invited, and I think they thought of her more as a friend than a teammate.” 

Bustamante also believes juggling school, volleyball, and planning the quinceañera will help Campillo-Ramirez build time management skills for the future. 

“Yes, this will help her so much in the future,” Bustamante said. “It can be really challenging to juggle so many things at once and have people possibly looking down on you. But she did it like a champ. I am so proud of her for getting through these tasks.”