These are minor characters in the Maritza Ochoa book.
Mr. Bernstein[]
Mr. Bernstein is the teacher of Maritza's current events class.
Ainsley Marks[]
Ainsley is a classmate of Maritza's, and is also the soccer team captain.
Andrés Moreno[]
Andrés is Violeta's uncle and Mia's father. He was separated from his family when he was arrested for not having proper immigration papers.
Gloria Moreno[]
Glora is Violeta's mother, and Andrés' sister.
Mia Moreno[]
Mia is the younger cousin of Violeta. She's described as a "miniature Violeta". She loves to play soccer.
Violeta Moreno[]
Violeta is a new student at Maritza's school, but they play on the same soccer team. Although she initially withholds private information about herself and her family, she begins to open up to Maritza and eventually finds the confidence to be even more open to her classmates and the world. She has a younger cousin, Mia, who also plays soccer.
Abuelo Joaquim[]
Maritza's mother's father. He enjoys watching soccer.
Josh[]
Josh is one of Maritza's classmates in her current events class.
Peyton[]
Peyton is one of Maritza's classmates in her current events class.
Enrique Ochoa[]
Maritza's father, of Mexican descent. He has brown hair, light skin, and a beard. He wears a Virgen de Guadalupe medallion around his neck, which was a gift from Tía Mari. Enrique mentions he has a big trial at work which keeps him busy, but his parents are able to help cheer Maritza on at her games. Enrique coaches the DC Azules soccer team, and Maritza likes to help out with the team on the weekends. Enrique also heads the Soccer Showcase planning committee.
Erika Ochoa[]
Maritza's mother, of Bolivian descent, has darker skin than her husband and son, bangs, and a short bob of brown hair. works as part of the team planning the national Latino museum.
Javier Ochoa[]
Javier is Maritza's older brother. He dances ballet folklórico in his spare time.
Mari Ochoa[]
Tía Mari is Enrique's older sister, and Maritza's aunt. She lived in Los Angeles as a nurse, with her cat, Canela. She believed that everyone's voice was important, so it was important to speak up for those that can't. During the pandemic, Maritza's family would have video calls with Tía Mari each Sunday, until she was diagnosed with cancer. She passed away shortly afterward. Before she passed, she mailed Maritza a beautiful journal with hand-written inspirational quotes from famous women athletes and leaders. When Maritza wishes she could talk to Tía Mari, sometimes she'll write a message just for Tía Mari in the journal.
Maritza considers it an honor to be named after Tía Mari.
Raheem[]
Raheem is a classmate of Maritza's. They are competitive together, and they have a standing competition of who is the fastest runner.
Mr. Ramos[]
A soccer coach of an all-boys soccer team. Whenever the boys' team loses against a girls' team, he criticizes his players for losing. Maritza and Violeta have to convince him to let the girls play in the Hispanic Heritage Month children's soccer game, with the final argument that "girls are tougher than you think" winning him over.
Sierra[]
Maritza's best friend.
Sierra and Maritza have been best friends "since [they] were in diapers" and used to play on the same soccer team at school. Lately, Sierra decided to leave soccer in order to pursue Mexican ballet folklórico. Although they sometimes fight, they always come through for each other and are each others' number one fans.
Abuela Silvana[]
Maritza's mother's mother. She is a good cook, especially of Bolivian food. She cofounded the American Cultural Association in DC. She also has a local shop: Silvana's Capitol Hill Tailors.
Yesenia[]
Yesenia is a younger girl who plays on the soccer team that Maritza's dad coaches.