Alyssa Mondragon

Alyssa Mondragon – Florida
Nomination and Photography by Candid Captures By Lexi
Issue 45 of Inspiring Teens Magazine
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​Nomination: Alyssa Mondragon is what we call a walking sun! From the moment she walks in the room her kindness and smile light up everyone! When she stepped foot in front of my camera everything just clicked. She's an amazing student and active in her school’s cheer team as well as Vice President of her schools NHS. She is consistent in her faith as Pentecostal, but it wasn't always easy for her. After a crisis of her faith, she regained it and has become more amazing ever since! She has an amazing soul and is known for meeting and introducing new students into her community. Alyssa is the definition of golden from her beauty to her heart!

Photography by Candid Captures By Lexi

​What would you most like to be interviewed about?
I would like to be interviewed about my faith. While I was living in Alabama, my mom would take us to a big building every Sunday. As a little girl, sitting still for over an hour hearing a man talk wasn’t the least bit interesting. As I grew up, I began to learn the importance of my presence in a place called church. I felt like I had another home. I felt beyond safe sitting there learning about His word and living life through it. I learned what prayer was and the importance of it. Although my prayers started out as, “God is good, God is great,” I’ve learned there is so much more to God and the goodness He brings. My life was almost perfect. God was my best friend and He would be the first one I came to if something was wrong. Then, my life in Alabama abruptly came to an end and everything I once knew left before I could even blink. I was hurt by the actions of my father, and my mom no longer saw a life for us there. As my emotions were all over the place and my heart was in pieces, not once did I look to God for help. I had felt betrayed by Him just like I had felt by my father. I lived my first year here in Florida without His guidance. Going to bed every night and waking up in the morning without a prayer became a habit. I was so angry with God that my faith was sealed shut and thrown away. I blamed God for everything wrong in my life and it was the pit of my self-destruction. I grew with hatred and lost sight of who I was. It wasn’t until recently I saw what I had become. I instantly became overwhelmed with grief and was ashamed of myself. I prayed for forgiveness and started a new habit of listening to podcasts from my church in Alabama. It’s so comforting to hear my pastor’s voice and I finally felt like I was back at home. My life feels lighter and my heart is filled with the grace of God. I live through His words and follow the path He has for me. God will always by my first home and He’s someone I am extremely blessed to have in my corner.


What inspiring things about you does your nomination not cover?
Recently, I was diagnosed with depression. As scary as it may sound, I felt like a weight had been lifted off of me after finally hearing my diagnosis. I was such a happy girl and all of a sudden everything changed. Almost no one noticed that something was wrong with me. I fought with myself on the acceptance that I was not okay. I was so scared that something was wrong with me and everyone would treat me differently. I attempted to change the things that I once loved about myself. I was known as the girl who had the smile to light up a room, when behind that smile, was the pain of feeling like a disappointment in my family’s and God’s eyes, which truly diminished my spirit. Now, I shine in many different ways, ways that I am beyond proud of. I am happy to say that the smile that is on my face now has seen the good and bad that life brings, and still manages to bring warmth to those who need it most.


If you were to present a topic to a group of your peers, what would it be on and why? I am so passionate when it comes to checking on others. I’ve always been the person to put others before myself, and although their lives changed for the better, I felt like I was falling deeper into a depressive state. Years later a few people showed me how loved I was and helped me see why I couldn’t just leave this life behind. I struggled (and still struggle) with coping mechanisms to help better my life and the happiness I strive for in life. It still blows my mind how powerful words truly are. Negative words beat me down at a young age, and put me in a state that no child should ever go through. It wasn’t until recently that I was shown the other side of words, the positive side. These positive words and kindness that the almost angelic souls have brought me, saved my life. I agree with the fact that I am no longer the same girl that I was even a year ago. There are some parts that I am still working on, such as my faith, but I am beyond proud of the girl that is writing this story. The old me would have been kept to the side, afraid to take advantage of opportunities such as this one. I never would’ve had the strength to finally tell my story and reveal the parts of my story that most have yet to hear.


Tell us about your cheer career from start to where you are now.
I started cheering in middle school and it was different than what I was used to. I was always shy and timid, and cheer obviously requires you to yell, so I struggled in that department to say the least. Being the only Mexican was definitely a challenge. My school was majority white and I felt like a waste of breath, because who would want to pay attention to the Mexican, when there were pretty blondes? I then went on with joy for the sport and could never dream of quitting something I now loved. My freshman cheer tryouts really pushed me to the limit. We had so much running to do before we could begin anything related to cheer. After the grueling tryouts I made the team and was so excited for high school. My excitement quickly came to an end when practices rolled around. We heavily ran and exercised, took a small break and went on to being drilled on stunts. All of the exercise we did drained me and holding a person up in the air was not something easy for my body to handle. I dreaded going to the practices and my heart was not in it anymore. The exercising took away all the joy and spirit cheer is, and instead, turned it into something I would learn to hate. I made strong friendships through cheer, which was the only reason I kept going. After I moved during the summer before my 10th grade year it was too late to sign up for cheer and I loved the idea of taking a break, especially since I was going to a new school. As much as I loved the student section, I wanted to be down on the sidelines so badly. When tryouts came around I was very skeptical, but I knew I would regret it if I hadn’t gone for it. I was so scared to look if I had made it, and I saw that I made varsity captain and my heart dropped. I was in complete shock and fear quickly overwhelmed my body because I knew the returners would not be happy. As the year went on I noticed how different the dynamic was from this team compared to my old one. I regained my love for the sport, and my teammates made it all the better. I adored reading to elementary schools and the little traditions my school has carried. I am so happy that I found the love for cheer that I once had.


What is a favorite memory and/or accomplishment from cheer?
At my old school, we would go to a week-long cheer camp, learn material, and compete. Cheer camp was something I absolutely loved going to, and a little sad my current school doesn’t do it. We stayed on campus, walked everywhere, finished late, and woke up early. It was a little bit of a hassle, but it was all worth it in the end. Then, the last day came and it was time to compete. I was so nervous especially since it was my first time, and I didn’t want to be the girl who ruined it for everyone else. We hit everything, but everyone was still nervous for awards, since there were some amazing teams we were up against. We ended up winning 1st in every category, except for one which we got 2nd in. The feeling of hearing our name called for 1st place was amazing, especially since it was back to back. That day is something I will never forget, nor will I forget how deserving we were due to all of the hard work we put into every single detail.

What do your duties as VP of your local NHS entail? What do you love most about it?
I recently got appointed Vice President for NHS, and it honestly slapped me in my face. NHS was one of the only clubs I went to all of the meetings for and participated in. I loved being a part of it and I knew it would look really good for colleges. When I got the letter that I was chosen for Vice President I was in shock. This was such a big deal for me and I was so honored to have that title. I couldn’t begin to share my excitement and gratitude to the sponsor. For next school year I will be in charge of setting dates of meetings, volunteer services, calling businesses, double checking important dates, carrying the responsibilities of the President in her absence, and so much more. I am so excited to take on this responsibility and everything this title brings.

Share with us why you chose Candid Captures by Lexi to do your photos and what you love most about photoshoot/s with her.
I saw a photoshoot she had done on my Instagram, and I absolutely loved her work. I stalked her page and saw that she was looking for models for her senior team and I quickly signed up. I loved the fact that she was a teenager and was so passionate about her work. I wanted to book a photoshoot with her as soon as possible. I set up a senior photoshoot for my boyfriend and she considered all of my ideas and came out with exactly what I envisioned. We also threw in a few pictures of myself and some of my boyfriend and I. I was nervous on the way to the photoshoot because I really haven’t done one. She calmed all of my nerves gave me great comfort. I was by my phone for hours waiting for her to upload them. When she sent me the link, I could not believe how dreamy, romantic, and playful each photo was. The absolute talent that poured out of every single photograph was undeniable and she shined a light on the parts of my relationship that I cherish. She made me see myself in a way I never have, and I will always be thankful for her. She became someone I would consider my best friend. She has done so much for me, and created so many opportunities in the little time we’ve known each other. Lexi Valdez is a light that not everyone has the honor of sharing, but I am proud to say that I have.


Look for Alyssa in issue 45 of Inspiring Teens Magazine!

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Click here for more information on issue 45

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