PLAY ON!
Kristen Castillo
San Diego teens turn their passions into professions Playing sports or dabbling in the arts may spark a child’s longterm interests. But even if it doesn’t, there are many benefits to participating in extracurricular activities. Arts and sports support social and emotional growth, and help kids learn to focus and develop discipline. They’re also lots of fun! We interviewed two San Diego teens who are fulfilling childhood dreams by pursuing their passions in sports and the arts. Interesting — one is an athlete who also pursues music; the other is a musician who also pursues sports. Meet professional skateboarder Bryce Wettstein and singer/songwriter Marissa Grace McRoberts.
Photo credit: Elise Crigar
Bryce Wettstein Professional skateboarder and Encinitas native Bryce Wettstein is pursuing her goal of making the 2020 U.S. Olympic Team. The 15-year-old sophomore at San Dieguito Academy started skateboarding with her father at age 6. Soon she took up the sport and her father built a mini ramp in their yard, followed by a blue bowl (looks like an empty pool with curved surfaces for skateboarding). Bryce’s dad “spotted” her through new tricks until she gained confidence to do them on her own. “There’s no limit to what you can do in skateboarding,” Bryce says. “You end up seeing the world in a different way — seeing the world upside down.” Skateboarding has taken Bryce all
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over the world. She started traveling internationally at age 12. She’s already been to five continents and many countries including Sweden, China, France and Brazil. Sometimes she misses school for competitions, but she takes homework along and journals about her travels. Bryce is currently on the first-ever USA Skateboarding National Team (along with several other North County residents) and is hoping to qualify for the upcoming Olympic games in Tokyo (qualifiers run through May). “My dream is to be in the Olympics so there’s definitely added pressure,” she says. “The more you want something, [the more] pressure you put on yourself.” Still, she’s taking one step at a time. “I treat it as another day of skateboarding; I continue doing my tricks and do the best I can,” she says. “And I have fun with it.” In the interim, Bryce plays high school and club volleyball. She’s also an avid surfer and is passionate about writing songs, playing ukulele, piano and guitar. She recently released the song “Flip the World (Upside Down),” which is streaming online. Bryce looks forward to releasing more music and playing for an audience. For now, her focus is on skating and encouraging other young people to follow their dreams. “When you dream and really follow your heart, you find happiness,” she says. Learn more at www.brycewettstein.com and follow her on Instagram @brycewettstein.
