Los Fresnos, TX (KRGV) — A Los Fresnos High School senior is aiming for state in powerlifting while balancing cheerleading and a strong academic record.

Faith Perales qualified for regionals last year and broke personal records along the way.

"I like feeling strong. I like lifting a bunch of weight and feeling the best I can be,  It also keeps me in shape," Perales said.

Perales said that strength also helps in cheerleading, where she works as a base. She is a varsity cheerleader, a two-time national cheer qualifier and a UCA All-American cheerleader.

Perales said the cheer team is going to Florida to compete at the national championship at Walt Disney World.

"And we will hopefully win a white jacket," Perales said.

Her mom, who also coaches cheerleading, said Perales starts her day at 4:30 every morning and makes time for everything. That includes track and field medals, serving as student council president, and being a big sister at home.

"She's so determined," Franchesca Perales said.

As an AP Scholar with Distinction, Perales is on track to be valedictorian of her class. Her teacher said she brings a great attitude and a willingness to learn.

"She's been one of the brightest students I've taught in a 17-year career. She is humble, kind, empathetic, and very much aware of others," Faith's teacher, Erika Martinez, said.

Perales said she is still weighing her college options but wants to study nursing first.

"I want to major in nursing to start to get all my prerequisites done, and then after that, apply to medical school and hopefully get in and get my doctorate degree," Perales said. "I really want to help people. I love to help others around me. I think kindness is one of the most important things to me. I like to put myself in others' shoes, look out for the little guy, and just spread kindness around the world."

This fall, Channel 5 News will be highlighting 10 students who shine in and out of the classroom.

The students have already been selected.

Click here for more Student of the Week stories.

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