From the skatepark to the weight room, junior Miguel Reyes has a knack for taking on challenges and pushing through obstacles. Known for his outgoing personality and diverse interests, Reyes is carving his own path at West Chicago Community High School.

Reyes’ sophomore year was a rollercoaster, with ups and downs that tested his resilience. Struggles like PSATs and MAP testing were hurdles he faced head-on.

“The tests [were] screwing me over, you know? PSATs, MAP testing, all that. But, you know, so far, I’ve been powering through,” Reyes said.

His weight-loss journey is a testament to his determination. At one point, Reyes weighed over 200 pounds, a result of unhealthy eating habits during his childhood.

“[Fast food] was really good, but it kind of got me to be a bit overweight when I was little. Then that bit turned into very overweight, especially for someone my stature,” Reyes said.

Inspired by a friend who introduced him to the school’s weight room, Reyes began working out regularly and made significant lifestyle changes.

“One day, I just felt like I didn’t want to be big anymore. It was exhausting climbing stairs and being out of breath. My friend told me about how the school has the weight rooms open after school,” Reyes said.

With the support of friends and a newfound passion for fitness, Reyes lost over 40 pounds and continues to stay active.

“When Miguel started, he had no strength and no discipline, but once he gave it a try and started to be consistent, I saw more muscle on him. Now he never rests,” former student Fabian Garcia said.

Outside the gym, Reyes discovered skateboarding, a hobby that has become a cornerstone of his identity.

“I used to watch a lot of MTV when I was about seven or eight years old,” Reyes said. “It was cool. I liked seeing them do all those tricks—shuvits, treflips, kickflips—and I just became very interested.”

Reyes practices regularly at the skatepark near the ARC Center, honing his skills and challenging himself to master new tricks.

“For someone who started a few months ago, Miguel is really good. Skating with him is interesting and fun—he always takes pictures, attempts tricks, and makes friends anywhere he goes,” one friend said.

In addition to skating, Reyes enjoys exploring his creative side through gaming, manga, and fashion. His thrift store finds inspire his unique style, and he fondly remembers childhood trips to St. Vincent’s thrift store.

“It’s a nice place. They have a nice atmosphere. It also reminds me of my childhood when I would thrift a lot,” Reyes said.

Gaming is another passion for Reyes, who started with a Wii U and Mario Kart 8. Nowadays, he plays on his PlayStation 5, enjoying titles like “Dying Light 2” and “Minecraft.”

When he’s not skating or gaming, Reyes immerses himself in manga and comic books.

“The three main ones are ‘Jujutsu Kaisen’—I’m interested in that with all the relevant manga chapters—and ‘The Amazing Spider-Man: Spider-Verse,’ where it’s a bunch of variants of Spider-Men fighting vampires that hunt them,” Reyes said.

Through his diverse interests, Miguel Reyes embodies persistence and curiosity, continually exploring new ways to express himself and grow.