High School Sports

SENIOR STARS: Paetow’s Lewis a role model for others

By DENNIS SILVA II, Times Sports Editor
Posted 3/22/20

Rayna Lewis is the first senior for Paetow’s softball program. She’s also the only one.

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

Log in
High School Sports

SENIOR STARS: Paetow’s Lewis a role model for others

Posted

Rayna Lewis is the first senior for Paetow’s softball program. She’s also the only one.

“It’s honestly the biggest blessing,” Lewis said. “I love that I get the chance to leave a lasting legacy on the program. It means a lot, really, because I kind of get to be like a mom to the rest of my teammates. I love helping everybody get better and having everybody push me to be better.

“I take a lot of pride in this program, because I feel that I have an important job to uphold not only on the field, but off the field. I’ve become sort of a role model for the future classes and underclassmen in our program.”

Outside of softball, Lewis is a “bit of a homebody.” She loves to cook and bake with her mom, but she also enjoys making TikTok videos in her free time. Her favorite athlete is Serena Williams because of her strength and prominence.

“Oh, we also share the same birthday!” Lewis said.

Lewis’ favorite TV show is “Private Practice” and her favorite movie is “The Sandlot.” Her favorite musical artist is Rod Wave.

“He has music for all my moods,” Lewis said.

Lewis spoke more with The Katy Times about softball and life.

Q: How early did you start playing softball? What was it that made you fall in love with the sport?

A: I started playing softball when I was about five years old. I really fell in love with the sport before I even started playing. My mom played softball in college, and watching her really grew my interest. I guess you can say I really fell in love with playing once I realized that that was all I ever wanted to do in my free time.

Q: What is your fondest memory that you have of playing?

A: Definitely when I won a national championship in, like, 12U. I remember it was like 110 degrees in Dallas, and we were playing on a turf field that didn’t make it any easier. I was so tempted to give up that day, but it all worked out at the end. That was just a really fun group that I played with, and we all have stayed close friends since then.

Q: How has playing the sport and playing for Paetow made you a better person?

A: Playing softball has made me a better person in all aspects. Playing sports, in general, teaches you how to be selfless and be a team player, but softball really teaches you how to overcome adversity. There are many factors in the sport that will test your strength, and I think it’s important for you to go through them, to build your character as a person. Playing for my high school team has been a more unique experience. I was never really used to being the upperclassman as a junior, so it really forced me to grow up. It also developed my leadership skills because I am the lone senior. I have to hold myself to a different standard than I used to.

Q: What are your emotions about the UIL possibly canceling the rest of its spring sports season?

A: The possibility of UIL canceling sports has been really difficult to try and digest. Our team had made so much progress from the year before, and it was really starting to show, and we were really looking forward to district play. As a senior though, it’s been really tough thinking that I could have played my last high school softball game. Although I will be playing in college, I had so many goals for myself and my team that I was well on the way to meeting, so to think that all of our hard work and progress could be taken from us is really difficult to accept.

Q: What are your thoughts in general about coronavirus and these times of social distancing?

A: I think the coronavirus is really confusing. It just came out of nowhere and the whole thing escalated really quickly. I support the social distancing idea. I think it’s really smart, and hopefully will bring the virus under control rather quickly. It’s been hard as a young person, of course, because I move around a lot and I spend a lot of time outside with other people, so to have to now stay in my house 24/7 is really difficult.

Paetow High School, Panthers, softball, Katy ISD, Rayna Lewis, sports