July 23, 2025
Dancer, Science Fiction Connoisseur, and Brownsville Resident: Sanaii Coke
By John Myers
By Jeffrey Wang
For Sanaii, athleticism has always been a big part of her life, juggling three sports: track, dance, and volleyball. Dance has not only been a way to release stress at the end of the day, but also a way to network and make connections with her community. Through her involvement in dance, Sanaii has made many valuable connections—in a professional and personal capacity. Volleyball was a hobby that became serious, but Sanaii never lost her enjoyment for it. It started off as a fun thing to do with friends and morphed into something greater as time went on. She says, “I played it for fun in middle school, and I noticed that it brought me a sense of comfort that I hadn’t experienced before besides while dancing.” Track was a filler sport to get ready for volleyball season, but the more she ran, the more she enjoyed it.
Growing up in Brownsville, a neighborhood she says is “known for its violence, poverty, and uncleanliness,” has had its challenges. However, this hasn’t stopped her from being able to overcome the systemic hurdles and stereotypes associated with it. One of her biggest support systems, family, has been a major part of Sanaii’s resilience. Having three younger sisters, ages 13, 7, and 3, isn’t easy. Siblings in general can be difficult—the petty fights, stealing clothes, hogging the bathroom, and so on. However, as both her mother and sisters have reiterated time and time again, she shows a side of herself that isn’t apparent to the outside world. “I love her comedic traits and the little weird things about her that only I get to see,” says her sister. Her mother describes their relationship as “open and loving,” and says Sanaii regularly confides in her about issues in her personal life. To Sanaii, having a good relationship with her family is crucial, and something that she’s willing to make sacrifices for.
Relationships both inside and outside of her home are the backbone of Sanaii’s strength, and she always strives to make connections that go beyond the surface level. As her mother says, “Sanaii is deeply thoughtful and reflective.” Perspective allows her to expand her thinking and understand the different upbringings that she and her friends have experienced. It allows her to grow as a person and impacts the way she navigates life and builds meaningful relationships. Sharing things that she’s passionate about is one way in which she connects with others, and though it might not be apparent, Sanaii is quite the science fiction nerd.
As a child, Sanaii had always been a fan of science fiction, both reading and writing it. She recounts, “When I was in middle school, I wrote an amazing short sci-fi story, not the cliché type, with lasers or telekinesis. It had to do with themes I felt were important, like ancestry and relationships.” Her passion for reading and writing have inspired her career goals and aspirations for the future, as well as how she connects the various aspects of her personal life. She describes herself as an introvert and prefers to enjoy her hobbies alone, but she isn’t closed off to company. “If I had a sci-fi dedicated book club, I could share my passion with my friends.” As for career goals, she says, “It would be a dream to become a novelist, but it’s extremely hard to make a solid career unless you hit it off immediately.” Her mother adds, “Sanaii thinks about people and her interactions with a depth that often impresses me. She always has insightful things to contribute to conversations.” Emotional maturity seems to be a powerful skill for Sanaii, allowing her to maintain balance in her social life while setting healthy boundaries.
“Minds always change, if later I don’t see being a novelist as viable, just being stable and financially independent is something I want for myself.” Being able to have these goals set for herself at a young age demonstrates the work ethic and depth of thought that is a crucial part of Sanaii’s character. The motivation and drive she possesses extends beyond the scope of dance, track and volleyball, and into her future and lifelong endeavors.
