Sophomore Arihana Wallace is a softball player here at Miami High. She is a sweet, caring, and hardworking student. 

 Early Childhood 

   Arihana was born on December 1st, 2006. Her favorite childhood memory was opening presents on Christmas morning. She used to picture herself as an astronaut when she was a child. She enjoyed watching SpongeBob on TV and eating chocolate. One of the hardest parts of her childhood was having a medical condition called hydrocephalus and constantly going in and out of the hospital. 

The Athlete 

   In the ninth grade, Arihana discovered softball after hearing the announcements and became interested. She then decided to try out. Her position as a softball player is shortstop or centerfield. Her greatest softball player memory is the time she bought gifts for the seniors before they left, and they all started to cry.  

 Life in School 

   Before coming to Miami High, Arihana attended Biscayne Gardens Elementary and Thomas Jefferson Middle School. One thing she liked about the schools she attended is the friends she made. She said, “The hardest part of school was having to do well when her mental health was all screwed up.”  

   Arihana’s first day of high school was chaotic. She did not know what to do or where to go; she even had a panic attack. She does not yet have a plan for after high school. “I’m just letting God guide me as my life goes on,” she said.  

 Life Outside of School 

   Arihana’s hobbies are reading romance books, watching romance movies, eating chocolate, playing softball, running, and playing with her slime. In her free time, Arihana edits videos. Her motivation to keep doing her homework is God and her younger self.  

 Family 

   She has three siblings: Jaylen who is 6, Jayla 8, and Zoddrick 15. She helps her mom by feeding her two siblings, who both have autism. She also helps with laundry and by cleaning her room.  

   Arihana stated, “People with autism are smart and they have a great imagination. She also said that having siblings with autism is very hard and frustrating because you don’t always understand them.  

4 tips to help your autistic siblings 

• Try to understand them 
• Try not to get frustrated 
• Spend time with then  
• Let them know that it is okay to be different 

   Source: Sophomore Arihana Wallace