By Ken Hansard
Webb City High School senior basketball manager Jasmyn Sanchez-Travis spoke to VYPE SPORTS in a recent interview.
Sanchez-Travis is in her fourth season as a manager for the Cardinals, and her Coach, Jason Horne, says of her, “She is extremely smart and will be going to the University of Arkansas on a full academic scholarship.”
VYPE SPORTS: What are your personal goals for the year?
Sanchez-Travis: My number one goal is to complete my senior project to graduate from Webb City High School. I also plan to continue my education in Biology at the University of Arkansas.
VYPE SPORTS: What is your favorite memory about your association with this team?
Sanchez-Travis: My favorite memory is when we went on a run and didn’t lose a single conference game until finally losing to Nixa. And then, despite losing a really close and tough game, the team still kept their spirits up. It was the longest streak we had without losing any games!
VYPE SPORTS: Who has left the biggest impression on you and why? This can be a coach, a teacher, a player, parent, world figure, etc.
Sanchez-Travis: My college Sociology teacher, Mrs. Dagnan, has left the biggest impression on me. I first had her my sophomore year for U.S. History. She could tell that I was shy but that I was very smart academically. As the year progressed, she and I grew closer. As a junior, I took her college Sociology class, and I have continued to bond with her during my senior year. We talk about anything, from just ranting in general, to things going on in my personal life, and we also talk about basketball, of course.
VYPE SPORTS: What is your favorite part of being associated with this team?
Sanchez-Travis: I really enjoy that it forces me to get out of the house to actually do something. It is nice to travel with the team and experience different environments and see how other teams play. It’s also fun to bond with the players and coaches of the sports team and share in their journey.
VYPE SPORTS: What clubs, community groups, or campus groups are you involved with and why?
Sanchez-Travis: I am currently involved in PALS, which is a program that will go to the pre-schools, elementary schools, and middle schools and bond with kids, while we play games with them and socialize with them. I was also in Hi-Step for three years. Hi-Step is another program offered by Webb City High that teaches kids important life skills, anything from building self-esteem to combatting peer pressure. I was also involved with Future Teachers of America for a year.
VYPE SPORTS: What accolades (in any sport or activity – including athletics) are you most proud of?
Sanchez-Travis: I’m probably the proudest of my senior banner and the plaque I will receive during the banquet season. I am also proud that I will have the opportunity to be a manager for the women’s basketball team at the University of Arkansas.
VYPE SPORTS: What has this sport taught you that you use in your daily life?
Sanchez-Travis: This sport has taught me time management as well as organizational skills. I have learned to juggle work and basketball managing while also juggling schoolwork – especially for my dual credit classes – in much the same way as a regular athlete would have to do.
VYPE SPORTS: What is the best advice that anyone has given you?
Sanchez-Travis: Mrs. Dagnan, my college Sociology and US History teacher tells me: “Whenever you fail at something, it is an opportunity to get better. Don’t let the fear of failure beat you, and it won’t, unless you let that become your mindset.”
VYPE SPORTS: Who inspires you and why?
Sanchez-Travis: Mrs. Dagnan. She never let me give up on the things that are difficult but that I know I can do – even when things were really tough – and that allowed me to reach my full potential. Whenever I felt a little panicked because of all the Dual Credit classes I was taking, I would frequently lose motivation and want to give up. At those times, she would sit down with me and tell me I can do whatever I set my mind to do and that I need to start believing in myself.
VYPE SPORTS: Here is your chance to give a shout out or say thank you to anyone you wish.
Sanchez-Travis: I want to say thank you to Coach Horn for giving me the opportunity to manage because this is something I have always been interested in. I want to thank Mrs. Cindy Dagnan for motivating me to do my very best at times when I felt I would fail.
