Lyndon B. Johnson High School students and staff packed into the school’s library at a watch party on Thursday morning and showed their love for Olympian Jennifer Lozano, a 2021 graduate of LBJ.
“USA, USA, USA!” chanted the crowd as they waved American flags and rooted on Lozano who fought three rounds against Finland’s Pihla Kaivo-Oja, who ultimately was declared the winner.
LBJ Principal Armando Salazar talked to the students before the match and had a powerful message.
“It doesn’t matter if she wins or loses. What matters is she opened the doors of possibilities,” he said. “That the potential is there to accomplish their dreams. It just takes hard work, perseverance and the ganas.”
That one of their own had made it as Laredo’s first Olympian overwhelmed Salazar.
“I have no words to describe the feelings I have as her principal but it brings us great joy just knowing that she’s one of our students,” he said. “She has opened that door to not only the students of Lyndon B. Johnson High School, past and recent graduates, but for the whole city of Laredo.”
The students, who were volleyball athletes and band members practicing during the summer, were in awe of Lozano. When Lozano appeared on the screen right before her fight, the crowd erupted in cheers.
“It feels so awesome to know that she has accomplished so much and that she comes from Laredo, too,” said Marielle Gonzalez, an LBJ 11th grader. “It proves to all of us that you can dream big and work hard to be where she is. It inspires a lot of kids from Laredo to dream big like her.”
Karina Perez, 11th grader, said, “Whatever the outcome, she has done an amazing job. We are still going to support her forever and I hope she does a lot more in the future.”
Lozano, who was bullied by peers who kicked her and pulled her hair, went to a boxing gym when she was 9 to learn how to defend herself. She was told girls “don’t fight.”
She then went to Boxing Pride Fitness Gym and met her future coaches, Eddie and Michelle Vela, who embraced her and accepted her, turning her into the professional athlete that she is today.
Lozano, often the only girl in training during her young career, held her own against the boys. She ran with them, sparred with them and lifted weights with them.
“She has done so much. She has done so much mentally and physically. She has to keep pushing and show everything she has,” said Natalie Prew, a 12th grader.
The Velas and Lozano’s family made it to Paris to watch her fight, thanks to multiple fundraisers throughout the city.
There were multiple watch parties throughout the city on Thursday morning to cheer on “La Traviesa,” a nickname her grandmother gave her.
Students draped in American flags at LBJ’s watch party said they will be at the airport when Lozano returns home.
“On behalf of the band, I am looking forward to her coming home so that we can support her again,” said Diego Gutierrez, 11th grader. “No matter if you win or lose, we are going to root for you and can’t wait to see you again.”
L to R LBJ students Natalie Prew, Karina Perez, Marielle Gonzalez, and Diego Gutierrez
Additional settings for Safari Browser.
