Senior Spotlight: Bolivar Central High School Student Becca Bryant
Senior year for Becca Bryant has already started off with a lot of highs as she plays her final year in the sports she loves that include football, golf, and softball. Putting a crown on it, Becca added the title of Bolivar Central High School (BCHS) Homecoming Queen, walking the promenade on the same field in which she played kicker for the BCHS Tigers. Becca has come full circle this senior year as she reflects on her time on the football field, being crowned homecoming queen, and other lessons she has learned over the years as a student at BCHS.
“Although the title of homecoming queen won me a crown and sash, it helped me realize how much I had reached my goal of being an honest and true person to my peers,” said Becca who feels very appreciative of knowing she has the respect of most of her senior class.
The homecoming queen is determined by candidates elected by the football players. The candidates are placed on the ballot from which the senior class votes for four royalty members. Becca received the most votes and earned the title of BCHS Homecoming Queen for the 2022 school year. That evening after being crowned, she headed to the locker room to get into football gear to prepare for her position as kicker for the BCHS football team.
You may wonder how she came about playing on her school football team. We know in life nothing happens by chance, but a good joke is always followed by an interesting story.
“My friend, Campbell Emerson, was conducting an interview with Coach Williams for our media class,” said Becca. “I jokingly told them I could be the kicker they were looking for. I made four of the six field goals and soon found myself on the team.”
The fall 2022 season was her first and only time to play on the team. Becca had great success as the team kicker and shared some memorable moments.
“When we finished playing the game against Liberty, my phone was exploding from calls and texts from loved ones expressing how proud they were of me. It was just an amazing experience to go through,” said Becca who continued with another moment that meant a lot to her. “I have really made five (field goals) but the referees called one back because of a flag, but I went out there and kicked another and made it to show them that they could not stop me.”
The spur of the moment decision to “try out” for the football team led to an appreciation of a sport in which she had only been a spectator.
“I enjoyed working with my supportive coaches, snapper, and holder. They along with the whole team helped make my job possible. Football is a more physically demanding and violent sport, but is for everyone to enjoy,” said Becca who has a shared interest with her father, Clint Bryant, in competitive sports. “To any girl who wants to try out, I encourage you to do so. With a strong mentality, anyone can do anything they set their mind to and try hard for.”
Becca realized there may have been more qualified players for the kicker position in the beginning but assured she “worked hard at it every day to make sure that she become the most qualified on the team”.
“I brought over many mental outlooks and lessons I previously learned to football and kicker position,” said Becca, who also plays softball and golf. “Softball has taught me the endurance that is needed to not quit even though things can get hard, and it has also helped me become a more physically active person. Golf has taught me to be precise and calm while focusing on my goal. In the short amount of time that I have played golf, it has easily become my favorite sport to play. With it being a single man sport, I love how golf has taught me to be a mentally good player. Without a team being there to pick my head up, I learned to clear my mind and how to encourage myself.”
Aside from sports, Becca attends church at First Baptist Church Bolivar and participates in several other on campus groups.
“I participate in Future Farmers of America, Media, Yearbook, Fellowship of Christian Students, History Club, Future Teachers of America, and Spirit Club,” said Becca who also has two favorite classes. “I really enjoy my English and Agriculture class. My teacher and golf coach, Jordan Stack has made an impactful impression on me. He taught me how to play my favorite sport [golf] along with many valuable life lessons. But more than that, he has always cheered me on and been an easy person to rely on.”
Becca, who describes herself as outgoing, sincere, and exuberant, hopes to attend Tennessee Tech University to pursue a career in the medical field, possibly nursing or large animal care. She is looking forward to her future but is in no rush for the school year to end.
“I will miss the familiarity of walking down the hallway and seeing both recognizable and unrecognizable faces,” said Becca. “But more than that, I will miss the school spirit and community.”
Becca shared the type of legacy she hopes to leave after graduation.
“I hope to be remembered for my contagious smile and determination, along with all of my success.”
Pictures courtesy of Becca Bryant.
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