CAPTURING REYNA: Confidence in Bloom

Seventeen-year-old Reyna Ripley is a junior at Southeast High School, and this year marks her first on Davinda’s Teen Team. With her warm personality, bold spirit, and heart for uplifting others, she’s the kind of girl who leaves people feeling seen and appreciated wherever she goes. Reyna joined Teen Team to grow, step outside her comfort zone, and help others do the same — and she’s already showing how powerful confidence and kindness can be when they come from the heart.

Who She Is

When asked what makes her who she is, Reyna doesn’t hesitate. “My family and friends are a very important part of who I am and the person I am becoming,” she shared. Her loved ones have shaped her in countless ways, teaching her the importance of compassion, loyalty, and authenticity. “Being able to make the people I love feel supported and appreciated is really important to me,” she said. “My friends and family allow me to be the best version of myself and motivate me to be better each day.”

One of those special people is her best friend, Kristen Dillon, who Reyna says has played a huge role in helping her grow into a more confident and positive version of herself. “With her, I never feel like I have to filter myself,” Reyna explained. “She pushes me to express myself and be authentic to who I truly am.”

Faith and community are also major parts of her identity. Reyna is an active member of the First Congregational Church in Rootstown, and her belief in spreading love and kindness guides her every day. She’s a girl who loves deeply, laughs easily, and finds joy in even the little things — like coffee runs, tanning, and time with her big, loving family.

All the Things She Loves

Reyna is the definition of well-rounded. She plays volleyball and runs track, serves in pep club, Leo’s Club, and drama club, and somehow still makes time to explore the world around her. “I love trying new foods and going new places,” she said. “Summer is my favorite time of year because I can hang out with my friends, swim, and go to the beach.”

Her personality shines through in the details — she loves the color pink, dinner at Texas Roadhouse or The Melting Pot, and music that ranges from Frank Ocean and Mac Miller to Drake and SZA, with a little ’80s nostalgia sprinkled in from her childhood. It’s a mix that perfectly captures her blend of energy, confidence, and heart.

And here’s a fun fact: Reyna has a black belt in Taekwondo — something she earned at just eleven years old after six years of hard work and countless tournaments. “I practiced almost every day,” she said. “I have the option to go back at any point, but I’ve been so busy with other sports I haven’t had the time.” Her discipline and drive have been there since childhood, and it’s easy to see how that same determination still carries her forward today.

Strength, Empathy, and Self-Love

If you ask Reyna’s friends to describe her, they’d tell you she’s sweet, outgoing, funny, and empathetic — someone who truly listens and isn’t afraid to speak her mind when something isn’t right. That mix of confidence and compassion is exactly what makes her stand out. “I’ve always been an empathetic person,” she said, “and though sometimes it has its downsides, it’s helped me meet so many amazing people and help others on days I didn’t even know they were struggling.”

When she talks about what she loves about herself, Reyna’s answers are beautifully thoughtful. She’s proud of her heart, her courage, and her drive to work hard and grow. She loves that she can make friends anywhere and that she never shies away from standing up for what’s right. “I love my bright brown eyes and long eyelashes,” she added with a smile — a reminder that true confidence is about celebrating both inner and outer beauty.

A Role Model at Home

The person Reyna looks up to most is her mom, a woman she describes as hardworking, resilient, and endlessly loving. “My mom has had a very successful career and overcome many huge obstacles,” Reyna shared. “Watching her work hard for our family has motivated me to work just as hard toward my own future.”

Her mom’s strength has been especially inspiring while supporting Reyna’s brother, who was born with congenital heart disease. “She started as an accountant and worked her way to being one of the only women working as a Global Finance Manager for Lubrizol,” Reyna explained. “She even took early retirement to start writing a book about how our family overcame these adversities. She’s the most hardworking and resilient person I know.”

That deep admiration has taught Reyna the importance of perseverance — and of using your own story to inspire others, just like her mom has.

The Sports That Shaped Her

Volleyball and track have both had huge impacts on Reyna’s life. She’s been playing volleyball for five years, and it’s become a space where she’s learned resilience and teamwork. “When I first started, I struggled with toxic coaches and the environment that was created,” she shared honestly. “I dreaded every practice and started losing hope for the sport. But once I joined travel volleyball, I was exposed to a whole new side of the game. The coaches uplifted me and showed me what real coaching should look like.”

That experience reignited her love for volleyball, and her favorite memories still come from that travel season — long tournament days filled with laughter, learning, and victory alongside her teammates.

Track, on the other hand, brought something new. “I started running track this last season and I loved it,” Reyna said. “It pushes me as an individual while still allowing me to be part of a team. The environment is so encouraging, with supportive coaches and teammates who push me to be my best.” The combination of individual growth and team unity gives her a healthy balance of focus and fun — something she’s eager to keep building on.

High School Memories & Lessons

When Reyna looks back on her favorite school moments, Friday nights under the lights come to mind first. “I love dressing up for the themes, cheering in the student section, and sitting on the track with Kristen taking pictures of the football team,” she said. But her most meaningful memory came when Kristen transferred to Southeast. “She’s made such a big impact on my life and has supported me every day, even when I was struggling,” Reyna shared. “She helped me find my self-worth and see my own beauty inside and out. I’ll forever be thankful for that day she decided to tour Southeast.”

High school hasn’t just been about memories — it’s been about growth. Reyna has learned that not everyone will agree with her, but staying true to herself matters most. Looking ahead, she hopes to study mechanical engineering after graduation — a path that perfectly fits her hardworking and curious nature.

What Drives Her

When Reyna talks about motivation, her words come from a place of honesty and self-reflection. “Something that fuels me the most is wanting to be the best version of myself,” she said. “This last year, I was struggling and felt like I lost myself. I started counseling and have been working to heal from my past. I joined track for the first time, which helped me tremendously, and I’ve been growing closer to my friends, family, and God.”

She’s learned to celebrate progress, not perfection — and to remind herself daily that she’s capable and worthy. That same mindset is what makes her such an inspiring addition to Davinda’s Teen Team.

Why Teen Team

Reyna joined Teen Team with a goal that goes far beyond photos and posts — she wants to make a difference. “I’ve struggled with comparing myself to girls online with unrealistic standards, and I want to be part of creating a better environment,” she said. “I want to be a positive influence for girls my age, to help them express their true selves without fear of being judged.”

She hopes to become the kind of role model she once needed — someone who lifts others up and encourages them to embrace their authentic selves. “I want to be someone who helps others come out of their shell,” she said. “I’ve struggled to feel confident in myself, but now I’m learning to see my own beauty inside and out without doubting myself.”

For Reyna, Teen Team is more than an experience — it’s a journey of growth, friendship, and self-discovery. She’s learning that confidence isn’t something you’re given; it’s something you build, one step, one challenge, one kind word at a time.

Moving Forward

Reyna Ripley’s story is one of empathy, strength, and purpose. From the volleyball court to the track, from faith to friendship, she’s continually working to be her best self — and to help others see the best in themselves, too. Her light shines through in her authenticity, her warmth, and her courage to keep growing.

As she steps into this new chapter with Davinda’s Teen Team, Reyna is ready to embrace everything that comes her way. She’s not just capturing confidence — she’s creating it, one smile, one friendship, and one act of kindness at a time.