Dayana Merlos is a 16-year-old sophomore at Birmingham Community Charter High School. Dayana was born on November 23, 2009, in Van Nuys, California. She has a twin brother who also attends Birmingham and a little sister who is in elementary school. Over the years, Dayana has played soccer with many soccer clubs. Dayana has played soccer since she was eight with her first club, Cruz Azul. She is currently playing for her team, Aguilas F.C., and has been for the last two years.  She has also played for her middle school soccer team in 7th-8th grade. Dayana has also wrestled for a few months, but didn’t continue because wrestling wasn’t her thing.

Dayana has a Pomeranian dog named Benny. Dayana likes spending time with her friends and family. She also likes roller coasters, especially Tatsu and X2 from Six Flags Magic Mountain. Dayana likes the fall, the pool, watching scary movies, and musicals. She savors chocolates, especially Ferrero Rocher’s. Her favorite scary movie is between Scream 6 and A Nightmare on Elm Street.

Dayana has two loving parents who are both from La Paz, El Salvador, making most of her family Salvadorian. Dayana’s favorite foods are Pupusas, enchiladas verdes, espagueti de espinaca, pesto pasta, and carne en su jugo. Her favorite fast food places are Chick-fil-A, Chipotle Mexican Grill, In-N-Out, and McDonald’s.

Dayana has many options for what she wants to pursue after high school. She wants to have a career as a veterinarian, nurse, or ultrasound tech. Dayana has also considered joining the U.S. Marines, but she’s still putting thought into it. Dayana is introverted and shy, but once you get to know her, she’s very outgoing. Her favorite subjects are math and history. Dayana is a part of the LGBTQ+ community. Dayana likes to cook, especially if it’s her first time cooking something that she finds on social media, because she likes mixing things up a bit.