Recent conversations with some of the boxers at the Garland Police Boxing Gym are a testament to the value of the program. Young men and women in this program are making great grades, graduating from high school and continuing on to earn college degrees and certifications. They are also learning valuable life lessons – how to set priorities, the importance of hard work and that to succeed, one must always try their best.
Academic focus
All of the participants are taught that grades are a priority over everything else. They know that if they aren’t passing their classes, they can’t box. Until recently, they depended on Ann Noska to keep them on the academic straight and narrow. Ms. Noska, a retired teacher, loved working with the students until she and her husband moved to a new
location. She ran a tight ship and the boxers knew it. The gym is currently in the process of getting a new tutor.
Alex Espinoza
Espinoza, a senior at South Garland High School has been in the boxing program since second grade. He also has two siblings who participate in the program. He’s what is known as an “elite” boxer and fights opponents who are 18- 40-years old. Espinoza is in a position to qualify for the 2024 Olympics.
He credits the gym, coaches and Ms. Noska for his success.
“If I wasn’t here, I’d probably be out partying and doing dumb stuff, being a teenager,” he said. “This gym has kept me humble and has kept me where I want to be. It keeps me doing good in school because if I’m not, I can’t compete.”
Espinoza added that he views life differently because of the program. He understands what is important. He plans to attend Eastfield College after high school graduation and he’ll continue to work hard to qualify for the Olympics. His plan is to earn a mechatronics degree.
“Ms. Noska always kept everyone in check. She made sure we were getting everything done in school,” Espinoza said.
Argie Santos
Santos has been volunteering at the boxing gym for over 20 years and coaches about 15 kids.
“The reason why I stuck around here [boxing gym] is that I feel like I need to repay everything this program has done for me,” he said.
Santos started at the gym in 1998 and graduated from North Garland High School in 2001. The gym had a positive influence on his life.
“It taught me a lot. It taught me discipline,” Santos said. “And it got me ready for the real world. And, Ms. Noska didn’t just teach me things for school, she also prepared me for the real world.”
Santos explained that Ms. Noska even helped him compose his resume so he could get a good job and helped him again when he was trying to move on to a better job.
“Having someone like that helps point the kids in the right direction,” he said. “And having someone to enforce the rule of having to pass to participate is a really big deal.”
Santos works a full-time job during the day and then volunteers at the gym after work.
“I love this place. I love coming here,” he said. “No one here owes me anything. They’ve given me everything that I’ve needed for my future, for my marriage, for everything. They’ve given me so much.”
Celia Ornelas
Ornelas is a South Garland High School junior who has been going to the boxing gym all her life. Her brother, who has now earned a degree in engineering, was also in the program. She also plans to go to college then continue on to medical school and become an anesthesiologist.
Ornelas said that having someone like Ms. Noska to guide her has been a huge help.
“She challenged me to do more. Right now, I’m in the early college program. So, when I graduate, I’ll have a high school diploma and an associates’ degree.”
Ornelas will continue to box after she graduates from SGHS. She explained that she has kind of a love/hate relationship with boxing.
“I hate it because it challenges me,” Ornelas said. “However, I love it because it pushes me to become a better person. I used to be one of those students who didn’t know anything and now I’m one of the highest-ranking students in my class.”
She’ll be able to handle college and boxing because of the self-discipline she’s learned at the gym.
“This gym is filled with love. All of us here have known each other since we were little and we want to help each other succeed,” she said.
Ornelas said that she has gained resiliency and confidence at the gym.
“In the gym, there are wins and losses. When I’d lose, I’d be disappointed,” she said. “However, it put me in the mindset like ‘you’re able and capable to do this.’ I knew I was going to be able to win in the future.”
Jason Spanier
Spanier, 22, said that he was a troubled kid with a single mom with three boys.
“My mom worked two jobs and was putting herself through school so she wasn’t around much,” Spanier said. “It was only a matter of time until we found trouble. My oldest brother got in trouble and went to prison. I saw what that put my mom through and I didn’t want to put her through that again. So, I found myself coming to this place and I never looked back.”
He added that he never had a father figure in his life.
“These coaches at this gym have been my fathers since the day I came in here,” Spanier said. “I give them the credit for the man I am today. I’m still young and I’m still learning and maturing. But, I do believe I’m on the right path.”
He attended classes to become a truck driver and now has a full-time job and volunteers at the gym.
Spanier struggled in grade school and was given medication for ADHD but didn’t like the way it made him feel.
“When I was about 12, I stopped taking it,” he said. “I struggled, but once I got to the gym, I struggled a lot less. I was burning energy so I was more mellow and focused in class.”
He added that he was motivated to make good grades so he could box.
“The kids need someone who can be kind of tough,” Spanier said. “Most people do not like to accept authority but really, that’s an aspect of life. Everybody needs somebody to push them. Ms. Noska did that for the kids. I love Ms. Noska. But she didn’t play around.”
“If I hadn’t come to this gym, my life would look very different right now – for the worst. I thank God every day that I came here,” he said.