When I opened the Harvard decision with my parents and saw the confetti, I just started screaming. All those days waking up early and working that hard finally paid off.

Makyla Cervantes

By Emma Kavcioglu

Senior Makyla Cervantes wakes up at 4:00 a.m. every single morning. While most of us are in bed, Cervantes is already on her treadmill, reading over her schedule, re-reading notes, and studying for her upcoming classes.  

Academically, Cervantes is a force to be reckoned with. She’s the national Hispanic Heritage Scholar for social justice, part of AP’s National Hispanic Recognition Program, a 2024 Coca-Cola Scholarship Semifinalist, and is on track to be a valedictorian. Cervantes was also recently accepted early into Harvard University’s Class of 2028. 

Now it’s 5:00 a.m. with a whole day ahead of her, and Cervantes needs an outlet to relieve her stress. So Cervantes switches from calculus to choreography and begins planning out routines for her dance team. Cervantes is the president of the Granada Hills Charter (GHC) Dance Team. She is also a West Coast Elite All-Star dancer and plans to try out for the Harvard Crimson Dance Team. 

But more importantly, dance has always been a method of therapy for Cervantes. As she entered her freshman year at GHC, she realized that she wanted to be able to share the value of dance with others in her community, especially those who couldn’t afford it. 

Born to Mexican and Filipino parents, Cervantes was always raised to help others as both cultures emphasize the importance of community. As a devout Christian, Cervantes’ faith has also taught her to love and influence the people around her. Her dad also always taught her that it was important to lift other Latinx people up, so that is exactly what Cervantes does. 

In 2021, Cervantes founded Baila Conmigo, a business where she employs young dancers in her community and partners with elementary schools in low-income communities to provide dance education in areas where it isn’t readily available. Cervantes has employed 32 girls, and partnered with three elementary schools. Her business has been commended by the Valley Industry Commerce Association, and televised on ABC-7.  Baila Conmigo will also be featured on Hallmark Media later this year. 

“Baila Conmigo ensures that the artistic self-expression of dance will also empower other young Latinas and Latinos across Los Angeles,” Cervantes said. 

At 6:00 a.m., after going through her dance routines, Cervantes opens her computer and begins sifting through her emails. Cervantes serves as the DECA President, as well as the founder and president of GHC’s Women in Business (WIB) Club. 

She opens an email from Pepperdine’s Graziadio Business Association and begins brainstorming an idea for a new WIB event. Cervantes plans events in partnership with Pepperdine and Cal Lutheran universities to help girls in marginalized communities learn more about finance and entrepreneurship through workshops, career panels, and empowerment events. 

At 7:00 a.m., sitting in the passenger seat on the way to school for her 0 period, Cervantes checks her phone and scrolls through her pictures in her camera roll. She looks at one from GHC’s homecoming dance, where Cervantes was crowned homecoming queen, following a “Barbie” themed campaign that lasted several weeks. She also sees a photo from her yearbook senior superlative crowning, where she was crowned “Social Butterfly.” 

Almost 12 hours later, it is 6:00 p.m., and Cervantes is finally heading home after six classes and dance practice. She gets home, finishes her homework, and unwinds, ready to do it all again the next day.

Barbie’s slogan tells women that they can “Be Anything,” and that they don’t have to put themselves into a box. Cervantes embodies this.

“I always wanted to prove to people I could do it,” Cervantes said. “People always told me that I couldn’t handle everything and that I had to focus on dance or business.  I didn’t want to be put into that box, so I proved them wrong.”