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McCallum basketball\u2019s Sofia Villanueva in Austin, Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025.<\/p>\n
Mikala Compton\/Austin American-Statesman<\/p>\n
Faces off the field <\/a>gives a deep look into the thoughts and lives of high school student-athletes in the Austin area. Today we feature McCallum basketball<\/a> player Sofia Villanueva,\u00a0who enjoys musical pertaining to her culture.<\/p>\n All about Sofia: Playing piano and guitar connects her to her family<\/p>\n Tell something about you that most people don’t know.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Most people don\u2019t know that I have lived abroad in New Zealand for almost three years of my life, from the ages 11 to 13. I still find myself explaining this experience to others and it is always met with amazement.<\/p>\n Outside of sports, what’s something you’re really good at?<\/p>\n Music is a big part of my life. It has been a passion and connects me to my culture. I grew up listening to my dad practicing classical guitar for hours. I learned piano and guitar from around age seven or eight. Music connects me to my family and culture.<\/p>\n McCallum basketball\u2019s Sofia Villanueva in Austin, Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025.<\/p>\n Mikala Compton\/Austin American-Statesman<\/p>\n What has been your favorite vacation?<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n One of my favorite vacations was to Prague, Czech Republic. My mom, dad, sister, and I visited this past September. We decided to visit partially because my dad\u2019s cousin was working aboard there. In Prague there\u2019s such a rich and interesting history. For example we visited a university Mozart and Einstein taught in.<\/p>\n What is your most prized possession?<\/p>\n It’s my jade necklace from New Zealand. In Maori culture, gifting someone jade is very meaningful. The jade gifted to me was a twist, which means an eternal bond.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n What do you plan to do after high school?<\/p>\n I will attend college and enter as an undecided major to most schools. I am most interested in the sciences, but entering undecided will enable me to explore disciplines further at a higher level.<\/p>\n MORE: Westlake girls basketball has eyes on state gold<\/a><\/p>\n<\/p>\n
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