HIALEAH, FLA. (WSVN) – A South Florida student-athlete has been honored for making a difference in and out of the classroom.

Daniela Castejon, a senior at Hialeah-Miami Lakes Senior High School, is a student-athlete who plays volleyball and softball.

The student from Fridat was honored at the University of St. Thomas with tickets to watch Lionel Messi and Inter Miami stars because of her selfless work to help those who need it most.

“I feel really excited and I’m kind of surprised. I’m really shaking right now,” Castejon said. “I can’t believe this is actually happening to me.”

When he’s not practicing or studying, Castejon said he spends his afternoons mentoring immigrant students, helping them transition into the country when they first arrive.

She also hosted other high school team members whose parents had to leave the state to finish the school year.

Coming from an immigrant family, she said she does all this because she wants to have an impact.

“I do it because I want to give back to my community and I want to feel like I’m doing something positive for them and making a difference,” she said. “Somebody’s got to do it, and I want to be that person who does something to make a positive change — not just your community, but the country.”

Event coordinators said she is the perfect example of leadership in her community, especially in November, which is National Homeless Teen Month.

Castejon said she couldn’t have done it without the help and support of her family.

“I would definitely say I get it from my family and the values ​​they taught me from when I was little,” she said.

As for her tickets to watch Messi on Saturday, Castejon did not say who she would take with her to the game.

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