By Marvin Poquiz
When you meet Natalia Vela, the first thing you notice is her bright smile. The second is how naturally she makes others feel included. A senior at Warren High School and in her fourth year as a Unified athlete, Natalia carries the spirit of her team not just on her uniform, but in every high five, every laugh, and every moment she spends lifting someone else up.
This fall, her warmth and leadership earned her one of the highest honors for a student athlete in Southern California: the 2025 California Interscholastic Federation Southern Section (CIF-SS) Commissioner’s Award. Natalia was the single student athlete chosen from more than 550 schools. The recognition celebrates integrity, selflessness, passion, and heart both on and off the field.
“Being a Unified athlete means being able to have fun, just be yourself and compete at your own level,” Natalia says. “It’s about being kind and loving to other teams, encouraging others to be good players on and off the field, and helping people when they need it.”
Her journey with Unified Sports began when a teacher recommended she join the team. From that moment came four years filled with friendship, growth, and unforgettable experiences. Of the Six Pillars of Character, Natalia says the one that stands out most to her is respect.
“Because I respect people on and off the field,” she explains. “A good leader cheers everyone on, has a good attitude with coaches, teammates, and friends, and when people are not acting unified I tell them to be kind.”
One of Natalia’s favorite memories came during her junior year when the team traveled to Camarillo High School. She remembers cheering on a teammate in the 4×100 relay and proudly watching her win a medal. Between races, Natalia handed out “kindness clothespins” to athletes from other schools, sharing small reminders of encouragement and inclusion.
Off the field, Natalia uses humor and empathy to connect with her teammates.
“I like to make my teammates laugh when they’re having a bad day,” she says. “Just having fun, cheering them on, and being a good teammate.”
Her time in Unified Sports has also helped her build confidence, especially when speaking in front of others or giving presentations. She says that Unified Sports and help her to become an ambassador to assist other schools starting their Unified Champion Schools journey.
As she looks to the future, Natalia plans to continue playing sports through Special Olympics Southern California and hopes to inspire others to get involved.
“Just be kind and have a great attitude, and when you’re asked to do something, don’t be afraid to try something new,” she says.
Natalia Vela doesn’t just play the game, she changes it. Her story reminds us that success is measured not only in medals, but in the lives we touch, the smiles we share, and the communities we build together.