Spotlight on NAF Next 2025 Student Speaker: Christina Pahcheka-Ybarra

One week ago, at NAF Next 2025, our national network heard from dynamic student speaker, Christina Pahcheka-Ybarra, about her compelling NAF journey and plans for the future. Take a look at what she shared below!

My name is Christina Pahcheka-Ybarra and I would like to start with a phrase that means a lot to me now more than ever: “Your journey, our quest.” That’s the theme of this year’s NAF Next conference—but for me, it’s more than a theme. It’s the story of how I got here.

You may not know, but I am a former student-athlete for Sunset High School in Dallas Texas and just last month graduated from the NAF Academy of Health Sciences. Now the title alone—student and athlete—carries a lot of weight. Balancing classes, practices, competitions, having a social life, and trying to grow as a person… it hasn’t always been easy. But it has been worth it. And I give a lot of my thanks to NAF.  

Let me take you back to where this journey started…

When choosing my classes for my freshman year I knew what I wanted to do, I was determined—but I was also overwhelmed. I wanted to push myself in my sports, and to succeed in the classroom. But knowing what you want doesn’t always mean knowing how to get there. There were days where I felt stuck—like I couldn’t give 100% to both academics and athletics, no matter how hard I tried.

I remember waking up sore from training the night before, and getting up to go to wrestling practice the next morning. Some nights I fell asleep with my laptop half open at midnight, with my homework half-finished. I began to question myself. Was I strong enough to do both? Am I biting off more than I can chew? Is it all just too much?

And then— I slowly came to a realization, NAF became more than just another class. It became my foundation, a support group, an opportunity to better my future.

The structure, the discipline, the mentorship—it wasn’t just about turning in assignments or passing the class. It was about showing up for myself. Taking the life lessons that my teachers gave me and applying it to the real world. I remember during my sophomore year when my teacher, Ms. Stennis would check in when I looked tired or drained. I was exhausted beyond belief and during that time I was still figuring out how to balance everything. So, when she would pull me aside, and asked if everything was okay, I felt seen. And every time I would approach her classroom, with her and Mr. George’s classroom right across from each other, they always greeted me with a smile—even when I wasn’t in the mood to smile back.

They didn’t just see a student-athlete. They saw a young woman preparing for the rest of her life. The NAF Academy has helped me in so many ways, but to be specific it helped me learn about the workforce and how to conduct myself in a professional setting. When I first learned that I had the opportunity to have not only my first office job, but first summer job in general I was excited but also clueless about the job process. And that’s where NAF came in. With countless résumé reviews, mock interviews, and zoom meetings, I was able to land my first paid internship with Dallas independent school district where I worked at their athletic department. The memories, connections, and experience were something that I couldn’t get anywhere else. And I am so thankful to know for not only helping me land that internship but also prepare me for the workforce.

Looking back now, I see how much I’ve grown. Not just in physical strength or how many points I can score on the mat. But in how I handle stress. In how I carry myself. And how I bounce back after a loss.

The NAF Academy taught me that excellence isn’t about being perfect—it’s about being consistent. And I learned that lesson most clearly through wrestling. In wrestling, you can train for weeks and still lose a match in seconds. I remember beating myself up over every mistake, thinking that if I wasn’t perfect, I was failing. But over time, I realized that what really mattered wasn’t winning every match—it was showing up, not only for myself, but for those who believed in me, supported me, those who believed I can go farther than I see myself going. This motivated me to learn from my mistakes, and to push myself to keep trying, trying a little bit better each time. Consistency can be hard, some days I didn’t feel like getting up to go practice, but then I remember why I started, and what my end goal is. Slowly, bit by bit, my mindset started to change, then my work ethic. And that’s what made me grow. That’s what excellence really looks like.

Over time I’ve learned to manage my time better, to communicate better, and how important networking is. I’ve also learned that asking for help is not a weakness—it’s wisdom. I’ve learned that discipline isn’t something you’re born with; it’s something you build, day by day.

And I didn’t do it alone.

This is where the theme really comes full circle. “Your journey, our quest.” It reminds me that even though this was my personal path, I had a whole team behind me—teachers, coaches, family, friends. People who believed in me when I doubted myself. People who challenged me, encouraged me, and expected more from me—because they knew I was capable of more.

To my teachers Mr. George and Ms. Stennis, who stayed patient when I was exhausted from training…To the amazing people I met through NAF… And to every staff member who makes NAF possible… And to my amazing family back home and mother who is here with me today… Thank you. Mom please stand! Can y’all please give a round of applause for her! You were part of my journey—and I hope you know that means you’ve fulfilled your quest.

Now that I’ve graduated, I carry everything I learned here with me. The habits. The wisdom. The consistency. I don’t know exactly where the road ahead will lead—but I know how to keep moving forward.

And to any current students out there who feel overwhelmed or unsure—trust me, I’ve been there. Keep going. Lean on your support system. You don’t have to be perfect. You just have to keep showing up.

We all have our own journeys. But none of us get there alone. That’s the beauty of NAF— it doesn’t just prepare you for tests, it prepares you for life.

And with the help of NAF, and those who supported my athletic journey, I am happy to announce my official commitment to Schreiner University, where I will be wrestling and getting my bachelors in Kinesiology! 

So as I move forward, I do so with gratitude. For the people who guided me. For the challenges that shaped me. And for the journey that continues.

Because even though I’m closing one chapter—I know this story isn’t over. And I know I always carry a part of the NAF academy with me wherever I go.

Thank you for being part of my journey. Thank you for making it your quest.