ALEXIS BUHELOS, 14

“I’ve learned a group dynamic does benefit you.”

Alexis Buhelos, 14, is a freshman at Lely High School. She was born and raised in Marco Island, Fla. She has a twin brother named Andrew. Her parents have owned The Boat House Motel on Marco Island for 23 years.

Alexis says she was bullied in elementary and middle school and that played a role in her depression and self-harm. She also has ADHD and very bad anxiety, especially during social situations.

Alexis has big dreams to go to the University of Florida to major in Psychology. She would love to one-day work with disabled kids or work in a mental hospital. One of her strengths is writing. She likes being with her friends. She is a cheerleader at Lely and loves music and playing the piano.

KENDALL KLEIN, 13

“I’ve learned to work harder under the pressure of goals”

Kendall Klein is the youngest member of the group. Kendall, 13, was born and raised in Naples. Her parents got divorced when she was seven-years-old. Kendall says her relationship wasn’t great with her dad growing up, but it’s getting better.

Kendall was born with a condition called Craniosynostosis, a condition in which one or more of the fibrous sutures in an infant skull prematurely fuses changing the growth pattern of the skull. Because the skull can’t fully expand it compensates by growing in a different direction and results in an abnormal head shape and facial features. Kendall had to have surgery at a very young age. She had to wear a helmet as a child. Now she has some bumps on her head, but says she can’t see or feel the affects of the condition now.

In her free time, Kendall enjoys yoga and meditation. She is currently in 7th grade at Pine Ridge Middle School. Kendall says her favorite subject is language arts. Kendall used to be a cheerleader, but had to quit after developing patella tendinitis.

ANDREA VALDEZ

“Giving up is not an option.”

Andrea Valdez, 16, was born in Fort Myers. She currently lives in Bonita Springs with three sisters and her parents. Andrea is one of five girls. Both of her parents were born in Mexico and speak Spanish and a little English. For work they both do landscaping.

Andrea says two years ago her family lost their home. She says her parents had a hard time with bills. “I grew up in that house and that was my first time moving,” says Andrea. She says her parents handled the hardship well. They did what they could to save their home, but in the end they couldn’t.

Andrea says she hopes to gain confidence over the next five months. She says she has low self-esteem and says it’s not easy for her to talk to people. She’s shy and gets nervous. Andrea says she is excited about the fitness aspect of the Wellfit Girls Challenge because she wants to lose weight. She says it’s hard to watch what she eats because her mom cooks a lot of Mexican foods and a lot of it is greasy.

Andrea goes to Estero High School. She says she’s not crazy about school, but she tries her best. Andrea plays Lacrosse and enjoys hanging out with friends and going shopping. Andrea’s cousin, Angelica, is also going on the trip.

ANGELICA VALDEZ

“If we work together we can accomplish anything.”

Angelica Valdez, 15, was born and raised in Bonita Springs. Her parents were both born in Mexico and moved to Florida before Angelica was born. Angelica is the oldest of five kids. Growing up, Angelica had to share with all of her siblings and says money was very tight.

Angelica says she is extremely shy in social settings and very camera shy. Math is Angelica’s favorite subject. She enjoys school and gets good grades. She started going to New Horizons in 5th grade because she struggled with reading and needed an afterschool tutor. Angelica is passionate about swimming and very competitive. She used to play soccer and is very active and fit.

Angelica is a sophomore at Estero High School. She says her dream is to graduate from college because she will be the first one in her family to do so. Andrea Valdez, 16, was born in Fort Myers. She currently lives in Bonita Springs with three sisters and her parents. Andrea is one of five girls. Both of her parents were born in Mexico and speak Spanish and a little English. For work they both do landscaping.

RILEY ZUCCARELLO

“Be who you are and not what others expect you to be.”

Riley Zuccarello, 15, was born and raised in Naples. Her parents got divorced when she was in 7th grade. Riley says, “My parents divorce was difficult on me because my sisters and I had to constantly meet with mediators while they went through their custody battle.”

Riley is a sophomore at Gulf Coast High School. She gets good grades, but says the stress of school gets to her. Her favorite subject is debate and she is part of the Model United Nations Club. In her free time she loves to play the violin, go horseback riding and Jiu Jitsu.

DAISY LEON, 16

“I can do anything if I challenge myself.”

Daisy Leon is a freshman at Estero High School. Her favorite things to do are play football and listen to music.

Daisy, 16, was held back twice because she struggled so much in school. She started going to New Horizons teen club after school, where she now receives help with her homework. She says the club has been instrumental in improving her grades at school.

EVELYN PACHECO

“Do your very best today because tomorrow is not guaranteed.”

Evelyn Pacheco’s parents came to the United States from Mexico so they could have a better life and live the American Dream. Evelyn, 16, was born and raised in Bonita Springs.

Evelyn is a sophomore at Estero High School. Evelyn says she loves school. Since she was little, she has planned out her education path. Last year, Evelyn was awarded a 4-year college scholarship through the Take Stock in Children program. It is a paid four-year scholarship to any college in Florida. Evelyn says she hopes to study Criminal Justice in college. Evelyn will be the first member of her family to go to college. She says her mother cried during the scholarship ceremony because she was so proud of what her daughter has accomplished. Evelyn says that is what motivates her to do well.

Evelyn says New Horizons was instrumental in helping her obtain the scholarship. Evelyn started going to the teen club after school in 8th grade. She says she used to struggle in school because she wasn’t getting the help she needed and it was difficult for her parents to help after school because of the language barrier. In fact, Evelyn was held back in 3rd grade. Since joining New Horizons, Evelyn’s grades have improved to all A’s and B’s with the help of the afterschool tutor.

SELENA TELLO

“Do your very best today because tomorrow is not guaranteed.”

Selena Tello is a senior at Estero High School. In her free time, Selena teaches at a Church School. She says she is very quiet and enjoys staying at home. Selena hopes that this trip to Peru will help her open up and become a more social person. She also hopes the trip will have a positive impact on her body, life and way of living.

Selena says, “I’m afraid of everything. I hope that this opportunity will help me face all of those fears that I have.”

Selena says her older brother inspires here because he has been through terrible things and has succeeded in life. She says he has taught her to fight forward to a better life.

GUADALUPE “LUPE” ESTALA, 17

“I am worth it”

Guadalupe Estala, 17, was born in Tallahassee, Fla. She moved to Bonita Springs when she was three-years-old. She has an older brother and an older sister, but they don’t live at home. Guadalupe lives with her mother. Her father is not in the picture. Guadalupe’s mother is from Mexico and only speaks Spanish. She currently works at a fruit-packaging department in Naples.

In 2008, Tropical Storm Fay flooded the entire RV Park where Guadalupe and her mother lived. Guadalupe had just started sixth grade. She says they didn’t know where they were going to go. At first they moved to Naples. Her mom was working picking tomatoes and the owners of the farm let them stay at their place. Then they moved to a shelter in Estero where they lived for three months. “It was hard because I was going through my teenage phase. We slept on army cots and had to share the whole gym with other families.”

Guadalupe’s hobbies include playing soccer, ROTC and Color Guard for band.  Guadalupe says she is passionate about performing. Guadalupe says she hopes to go to college and study criminal justice so she can pursue her dreams of becoming a detective.

This trip to Peru was her first time out of The United States.

ELOISA GUERRERO

"It’s not your legs giving up, it’s your head telling you that you can’t.”

Eloisa is a sophomore at Estero High School. She is a member of JROTC. She is passionate about drawing, photography and playing sports.

Eloisa is scared of heights, so she has some fears about the climbing portion of the Wellfit Girls Challenge. When she found out about the program she thought it would be a great opportunity to let go of this fear.

Eloisa says her mom inspires her because she takes so much from people, never complains and always tries to help out. Eloisa’s sister, Maria, also went on the trip.

MARIA GUERRERO

"It’s not your legs giving up, it’s your head telling you that you can’t.”

Maria Guerrero is a senior at Estero High School. She has two sisters and one brother. Her sister, Eloisa, is also going to take the Wellfit Girls Challenge. In her free time, Maria enjoys ROTC and Drama. One of her favorite things to do is to challenge herself physically, especially in JROTC and on weekends.

Four days a week, Maria works with middle school students at New Horizons Teen Center in Bonita Springs. She was once a student there and now takes the time to volunteer after school tutoring students who need help with homework.