Hispanic Heritage Month Showcase: Zara Diaz

WACO, Texas (KWTX) - It takes a powerful voice to rise above the sounds of the crowd at the pep rallies at Vanguard College Preparatory school in Waco.

Zara Diaz, 17, has one.

She is the Voice of the Vikings.

It is her job to ignite and inspire.

“I do pep rallies, assemblies, football games, all the varsity sports, and I just love being able to connect with the crowd. That’s my favorite.”

And it’s not just the masses.

Diaz uses her voice to connect with people and impact their lives on a more personal level.

Her involvement with the Encouragement Club on campus entails slipping notes in her fellow students’ lockers.

Understanding the not everyone feels completely comfortable or included all of the time, she offers words to brighten their day.

As a Lead Ambassador, she represents the school. Diaz is the Student Body president, and president of the Spanish Club.

The accolades grow from there.

She plays golf and was a star athlete on the volleyball team.

With all she does, it’s no surprise Diaz is also an honor student.

Outside of school, she is the president of Teen Leadership Waco, a program run by the Greater Waco Chamber of Commerce.

It builds on the leadership skills of juniors and seniors to help them develop into future leaders.

She completes volunteer hours.

This oldest of four stays very busy.

She said she has learned valuable lessons from her parents.

“They’ve always, especially my mom... She’s always said, ‘Go out there and do it because you only live once. You only have one life.’”

This senior is proud of her family and her Mexican heritage.

“For me, it means being part of your culture and being proud of where you come from. My parents have kept it really strong and alive in our household. We speak Spanish when we’re at home. You’re not ashamed to speak Spanish, and you will speak Spanish.”

She said, they take regular trips to Mexico to visit their other relatives.

Leading by example, Diaz wants to be a future business leader or lawyer.

She plans to attend college and politics may also be in her future.

“Like I hope that people get for my leadership, that they feel included. And I hope that they feel that they can come up to me with any issues concerns. And I really just want to make it an accepting atmosphere. Maybe spend time with family and get good food. For me, that’s a big thing.

Voice of Vanguard, honor student, and young leader, Zara Diaz is one of the many reasons KWTX Salutes Hispanic Heritage Month.

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