Just Folks

Layla Manuel, a 15-year-old sophomore at Gans School, is an exceptional young lady. Not only because she is the youngest student in her class but she is also left-handed which makes her an a part of a small percentage of the population world wide according to statistics. Although she may be modest about it, her values and religious upbringing also makes her exceptional in other ways.

“I really don‚t have a problem with being left-handed,” Manuel said, smiling.

“I do everything left-landed but I bat right in softball,” she said.

“The only problem I‚ve run into are the way the desks are made at school but I‚ve learned to deal with it,” she said.

“It‚s funny and I think, ’where did I get that?‚ because my mom is right- handed and my dad is right-handed. I don‚t know how I became left-handed. My little brother is six and we believe he‚s going to be left-handed also. My sister, who is 19, is a full left-handed person. She does everything left.”

As a student at Gans, Manuel said she has been involved in softball, basketball and other sports.

“I batted right but I was a left handed pitcher. I can also do a left hook shot in basketball. It‚s the only sport I still play,” she said.

Manuel returned to school this Thursday along with many other students in Sequoyah County.

“I don‚t know why but I was a little nervous about going back to school this year, but once I got here, I was okay, and it was great to see everyone again. I‚m actually looking forward to this year now,” she said.

Manuel has been a student at Gans since Pre-K 4. This year she said she is studying biology, geometry and wood shop, among a few of her classes.

“I love geometry. I was scared about it at first but after taking the class today, I‚m actually looking forward to it. I‚m just really excited about it!” she said. “My favorite subjects are English and Math. I‚m good in both so I like them both.”

Manuel has also been involved in FFA and was once a part of her FFA team which made it to state. “I was the president at the time and it wasn‚t the main FFA team. We were just the smaller one, the eighth and ninth graders, but we went up against some seniors and we beat them so we took state. It was exciting!” she said.

She is also involved in Pasture and Range for Cattle and Quail this year, which involves judging and surveying land such as identifying plants for adequate means of survival for the animals.

Manuel grew up and still lives with her family in the Brent community, west of Gans.

“I love living out there. We live out in the country so I enjoy being there. It‚s pretty quiet out there for the most part. I think the people in Sequoyah County are just really good people. Just like here at Gans School. I enjoy going to school here because I like the people who work here and my friends are here,” she said.

Manuel said one of her favorite hobbies is singing. “I sing at my church which I attend church here in Gans. Wednesday night I led the Youth Services. I hadn‚t done that in a while but I really enjoyed it.” She said she enjoys Gospel and all genres of music when it comes to her singing.

Manuel said she hasn‚t given too much thought into what she plans to do after graduation in a couple of years.

“I do know I want to go to college. I would like to study music but I‚ve decided I‚m going to do or go into whatever field God chooses for me. I believe in God and I know He will have the right direction for me,” she said.

Just Folks. Just Folks is Your TIMES way of honoring the regular people of Sequoyah County, recognizing their unique talents, personalities, jobs, abilities, etc. Your TIMES appreciates the cooperation of each Just Folks and the public‚s nominations for this feature. If you know of someone you think might be a good story, contact Amie or Lynn at 918-775-4433.