As the 2015 softball season conclude for the De Anza Dons, Jade Teruya, 21, kinesiolgy major, left the dugout on the final game of the season with a positive attitude and uplifting smile on her face.

She is holding a bouquet of pink flowers, a poster with her name and team number, 42 and a framed photograph of herself playing the sport she is most passionate about in her maroon and gold Dons uniform gifted by the team’s coaches.

This is Teruya’s second season with De Anza softball as a pitcher and outfielder. She currently holds the 91st spot in the top 100 overall in strikeouts in the California Community College Athletics softball division.

“Play your heart out. Play like it’s your last game,” is the message Teruya said she would choose to tell her teammates before a big game.

Teruya said she respects many softball players both on the team and professionally. She said she prefers to focus on bettering herself rather than compare herself to others.

“I’m not a person to compare myself to others. I just do me and don’t compare myself but there are people that I respect,” Teruya said. “If I had to name anyone I look up to it would be Coach Mex, Angelena Mexicano, because she is a really positive person and even though we didn’t have the best season statistically; she always believed in us.”

Mexicano, a record holder for her softball achievements, described Teruya as a resilient
member of the team.

“My proudest moment of the season was either this or our last
game,” Teruya said. “We were down ten runs and everyone just kept fighting. The positive energy was up. Even though we didn’t win it was awesome.”

Teruya started playing softball in eighth grade where she went to school in Oahu, Hawaii. She continued playing at Kalani High School and decided to attend De Anza College after hearing about the schools credentials and softball program.

“I played a lot of sports in high school: tennis, cross country, and softball,” Teruya said. “I was always the sporty one.”

On her transition from Hawaii to California, Teruya said she is well adjusted.

“It was a culture shock when I came here,” Teruya said. “People talk differently here. People in Hawaii have accents. It’s more of a melting pot and more cultured in Hawaii.”

She said sheplans to transfer to a 4-year university in the fall and is currently considering a few California State Universities and alternative options on the East Coast.

“In five years I want to have my degree in exercise science and get my masters,” Teruya said. “I want to work for a professional sports team and definitely be around sports, sports is my passion. Maybe even work with the MLB.”

Outside of school and softball, Teruya said she enjoys being active by going to the gym and hiking, and mentions that there are good places to hike in Hawaii.

As a self-proclaimed foodie, she likes to indulge in Thai food and Thai Tea and watch the hit TV Show, “The Walking Dead.” As for Bay Area sports, Teruya said she prefers the Oakland Athletics over the San Francisco Giants.

“Oakland A’s over the Giants for sure,” Teruya said. “But I like the Cardinals because they have a player from Hawaii and it’s not too common for people to represent Hawaii in professional sports.”

When asked for three words to describe this year’s softball team, Teruya quickly shouted, “strong.” She turned to teammate Emily Rodinsky, 28, who added “committed” and “all-out.”

“It’s a different season than last year,” Teruya said.