In celebration of National Athletic Training Month and Women’s History Month, Nimitz High School junior Myllie Garcia-Salazar is being recognized for her contributions as a student athletic trainer. Since joining the school’s sports medicine program as a freshman, she has played a key role in supporting athletes year-round.
“I decided to join the program my freshman year because a good friend recommended it to me,” Garcia-Salazar said. “In middle school, I wasn’t really into sports, but when I entered high school, I quickly realized how much sports are a big part of the campus experience. I wanted to be involved in athletics without actually playing a sport, and this was the perfect opportunity.”
Garcia-Salazar and her fellow student trainers assist with multiple sports throughout the school year, starting with football in the summer and transitioning to soccer, basketball, baseball, and softball. She credits the hands-on experience with strengthening her passion for athletic training.
“My coaches, Coach Jessa Salinas and Coach Hector Perez, are the best and have taught me so much. I’ve also formed bonds with many of the athletes – some who I wouldn’t have met otherwise. We truly have an amazing community,” she said.
As part of an all-female sports medicine team, Garcia-Salazar takes pride in the recognition their program has received.
“People are starting to recognize how much we do and how vital we are to the teams. Seeing a woman-led program thrive in this field is inspiring,” she said.
Beyond her work in sports medicine, Garcia-Salazar is involved in multiple student organizations, including Student Council, Choir, Texas Association of Future Educators, and an Education Career and Technical Education pathway, where she interns as a student teacher. She is also a 2024-2025 Irving ISD Student Influencer.
Looking ahead, Garcia-Salazar plans to continue her journey in sports medicine after high school, with goals of earning a degree in the field and working as an educator and trainer at the high school level.
To learn more about our Sports Medicine program, visit IrvingISD.net/SportsMedicine.
