By: Mia De La Cerda

SAN JOSE, CALIF. – Meara Illusorio is a current senior at Silver Creek High School and tri-athlete, currently juggling Varsity Water Polo, Cheerleading, and Swim all while being a full-time student.

Meara strives to be active constantly and is currently participating in varsity water polo, swimming, and cheerleading for Silver Creek. Upon asking Illusorio how she picks sports to participate in, she says she chooses sports that she feels she’ll enjoy and have the most fun with. Illusorio loves being on a team as she loves collaborating with others and the sense of community it has.

Being a senior, Meara plans on pursuing college outside of San Jose in hopes of getting accepted into a nursing program in order to fulfill her major. Illusiorio was inspired to choose nursing as a major because of her mother, who is also an RN. “I chose nursing as a major because ever since I was very little I’ve always wanted to become an RN just like my mom,” Illusorio explains. Illusorio explains that it’s the only career choice she’s ever felt so passionate to pursue and is further carried out as it will support her financially.

Following COVID-19, she said she had many ups and downs during that time but says that she coped by remaining active physically and mentally. On her experience during her time in lockdown, Illusorio says it was such a progressive time for her, and she was able to grasp knowledge she didn’t think she could.

Illusorios greatest motivation in life is having her future in mind and her goals. “I think about the things I aspire to be and what I don’t want for myself, I have the ability to pick and choose my goals, and reflect on them from there”. Illusorio is a person constantly on a mission to better herself, physically and mentally, and thrives on remaining healthy and active.

Upon inquiring about Illusorio’s busy lifestyle and how she manages her time, she has a very simple outlook on how to manage a schedule. Simply, by just setting up reminders for herself on her phone and utilizing the notes app for important reminders throughout the day. Being curious about how an average day in Illusorios life would go, I inquired about what she does from when she wakes up, to the end of the night. Illusorio starts her day at an early 5 a.m. and does chores before going to Water Polo at 6:30 a.m. After finishing water polo practice at Silver Creek, she starts school at 8:30 a.m. and continues until 2:58 p.m. Depending on the day she would then get ready to go to cheerleading practice for another two hours. Following her last sports practice of the day, she then returns home after a strenuous day to finish homework and relax and is in bed by around 10:30 p.m.