The562’s coverage of Long Beach Poly is sponsored by Bryson Financial
Long Beach Poly’s senior standout Annette Guzman may boast a petite build. Still, the girls’ soccer captain’s magnetic energy ensures that she’s an unmissable force that will command anyone’s attention–both on and off the field.
Off the Field
Annette’s high school journey extends far beyond the soccer field. The only place she spends more time than the soccer field is Poly’s ASB room. There, she began as sophomore commissioner of CIC, and eventually ascended the ranks to become the school’s ASB president.
Her motivation to become ASB president can be traced back to the encouragement of Ms. Laursen, a dedicated English teacher for both first and fourth-year students; reflecting on what prompted Annette to take this role, she explained, “Honestly, Ms. Laursen was the one that got me into ASB. In my freshman year, second semester, she mentioned that no one was running for commissioner of CIC, so she recommended me and encouraged me to apply.”
As the president of ASB, Annette became a figure and inspiration for students off the field.
Her early dedication to soccer and other commitments caught the discerning eye of Poly High School Activities Director Vincent Puth.
Initially met with skepticism when Annette originally joined, Puth confessed, “I found out she was doing soccer and other stuff at home, and I’m like, she doesn’t have time for us.” He further admitted, “My thought was that she was trying us out; low and behold, she’s our ASB president.”
Annette’s Latina heritage, a significant aspect of her identity, is a focal point in her commitment to creating a more diverse and inclusive school environment.
“As a student here at Poly, I want to leave my personality,” she said. “Specifically in ASB, I want to leave behind my Hispanic ethnicity.”
The positive attitude that defines Annette is rooted in the diversity that surrounds her.
“I believe it’s because of the positive individuals I’m surrounded by—especially being in ASB, where I intentionally immerse myself with people from various backgrounds,” she said.
Vice President of Polys ASB, Quynh, highlighted Annette’s exceptional leadership qualities.
“I mainly see her as a leader. She’s genuinely the only person I look up to in ASB because she keeps calm and is understanding,” she said. “One thing is she isn’t afraid to advocate for you.”
On the Field
Beyond her academic and ASB pursuits, Annette Guzman is a multifaceted athlete with a profound passion for soccer that was cultivated within the embrace of her soccer-loving family.
She was introduced to the sport at the age of four by her father.
“My family is a soccer family; my dad got me into soccer. He realized that when I went to his game, I would play ball with him, and he realized I liked soccer,” she said
Annette’s journey unfolded from the grassroots of Sunday league to the more structured and competitive landscape of club soccer, demonstrating her commitment as a member of Beach FC.
It’s a busy schedule, as is often the case for players balancing high school and club sports.
“Typically, on the days that I have club practice, I come to school and head to practice here at Poly. I then go home for 2 hours before heading to club practice,” she said.
When asked about balancing the responsibilities of soccer and her role in ASB, Guzman said,, “To be honest, it’s something I’m working on till this day. ASB was something that helps me with time management and planning things.”
Within the dynamic setting of Poly’s versatile girls’ soccer team, Guzman assumes the role of captain and stands out as a player. Despite her unassuming stature, Annette’s on-field finesse and athleticism defy expectations, adding a layer of intrigue to her game.
Teammate and fellow captain Katana Van Deusen recalls her initial surprise at Annette’s petite frame, saying, “I remember thinking, ‘Damn, she’s really tiny; she’s going to get tossed around.’ But for some reason, she won every ball against Wilson, taking out some big people.”
Another teammate, Leila Holland, said she was inspired by watching Guzman come back from a devastating hip injury two seasons ago.
“Seeing her come back this season even stronger has inspired me to put in that work,” Holland said.
Whether on or off the field, Guzman has been an inspiration to her fellow teammates and classmates at Poly.
