Senior Story: Giavanna Maqueda

Whether she was competing on the tennis court, or skiing with teammates, Giavanna Maqueda made the most of her time at Richfield High School by staying active, involved, and open to new experiences.

After graduation, Giavanna plans to attend Normandale Community College to earn college credits before transferring to Concordia University, St. Paul, to study exercise science. Giavanna hopes to one day become a sports medicine physician, combining her love for athletics with her interest in healthcare. 

“I’ve always loved staying active and helping others sports-related,” she shared. “I have been interested in healthcare, so I thought a sports medicine physician would be a good fit for me.”

Throughout high school, Giavanna stayed heavily involved in athletics and activities. She participated in the girls' tennis team and spent two years skiing on the Nordic team before transitioning into a management role for both Nordic skiing and boys' tennis during her final two years of high school.

Outside of school, Giavanna enjoys spending time with friends while staying active through tennis, skiing, swimming, and working out. She also enjoys relaxing at home with a good book.

Giavanna attended Richfield Dual Language School and Richfield Middle School and has been part of the Richfield Spanish program throughout her entire educational journey in the district.

Family has also played a major role in Giavanna’s success and motivation. She shared that she comes from a large and supportive household that includes her parents, sisters, niece, nephew, and “a lot of pets.” “My family has pushed me every day to get good grades, try new things, and go out and meet new people,” she said. “Everything I have done and all the awards I have received couldn’t have been accomplished without my family.”

While Giavanna enjoyed many aspects of school, one of her favorite experiences came through culinary classes. “It was so fun getting to learn new recipes from around the country or world while also learning how to use new cooking tools,” she shared. She especially enjoyed learning alongside classmates and discovering the history behind different foods and cultures.

"Gia is one of the most hardworking students that I know!" shared FCS teacher Alexis Setzer. "She takes on so many responsibilities while maintaining a high academic status."

As advice for incoming freshmen, Giavanna encourages students to fully embrace the high school experience. “Go out and try new things, enjoy the time you have with friends in high school,” she said. “Join a new sport or club, go watch sports games and do some fun school activities with your friends.” She also emphasized the importance of balance. “It’s good to stay focused in school and complete assignments on time, but make sure you get time to yourself and get to enjoy that high school life while you can!”