ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Pick a sport. Any sport. And chances are Carihana Jantomaso plays it.

What You Need To Know

  • Senior Carihana Jantomaso participates in multiple sports at Keswick Christian, including soccer

  • She also thrives in the classroom where she boasts a 4.3 GPA

  • Carihana recently shared her testimony with the Keswick Christian student body and told them of her rough childhood

Right now it’s just soccer. But in the fall, this Keswick Christian senior played volleyball, golf and ran cross country. In the spring, she’ll play two more sports for the Crusaders.

“I honestly just enjoy all of them,” Carihana said. “I love the team dynamics. And I’ve learned like an insane amount from sports.”

Carihana is squeezing every ounce out of the high school experience that she can. Her overachieving ways carry over into the classroom too where she carries a full load of AP classes and boasts a 4.3 GPA. Never one to sit still for too long, she doesn’t want to waste an opportunity.

“I’m not planning so far on playing a sport in college so it’s kind of like, this is my last chance,” she said.

Carihana is big on chances. Because she’s been given plenty. That’s why before the Christmas break, Carihana stood in front the entire school and shared her testimony.

Carihana bared her soul to the Keswick assembly. She talked about how she was removed from her home by Children and Family Services when she was a baby. How she grew up in foster care before a loving family adopted her. How her birth father ended up in prison and then when she was a freshman, he committed suicide. A tough talk, but one Carihana feels compelled to have in the hopes that it helps others.

“I just got like a little nervous,” she said. “But then I was fine, I got more comfortable.”

That’s what sports has taught her, how to find her comfort zone. Carihana has redefined what a student-athlete is at Keswick Christian. And she’s living proof that where we come from doesn’t have to define us. But it can serve as motivation and possibly, inspiration.

“I’ve gotten to put myself out there and be involved,” Carihana said. “I think God has just put things into my life that I really needed at certain times.”