Senior Spotlight: Jenna Bridges

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Jenna Bridges

Senior Jenna Bridges posing with an antique car for pictures.

Annabelle Anchondo, Editor

As the 19th of May approaches, the Springlake-Earth community gears up to say goodbye to another graduating class, one they have watched grow up and develop into the individuals that will soon walk the stage and receive their high school diplomas. The class of 2023 has been in the minds and hearts of those who surrounded them, and they have left an impact on all of the teachers, staff, students, and members of the SE community. One senior has made her own mark and will be leaving a personal imprint on the those at Springlake-Earth.

Jenna Lorraine Bridges is the daughter and second oldest child of Rachel Gil and Carl Bridges and has four siblings, CJ, Chelsie, Hillary, and Travis. Throughout her high school career, she has been involved in numerous extracurricular activities, including cheer, journalism, UIL academics, STUCO, yearbook, track, cross-country, and served as a basketball manager. Outside of school, Jenna loves hanging out with friends, going out with her sister Chelsie, shopping, watching The Voice or Netflix, messing with her guinea pigs, and listening to Parker McCollum.

With college and a future career on her mind, Jenna was unsure of what she wanted to do following high school.

“When I was younger, I thought I wanted to be a teacher. I always knew I wanted to work with children. Somehow, I later figured I hated school, so I knew I didn’t want to be a teacher,” Bridges said. “Then, I thought maybe I could be a social worker, but then, I figured out again that I can’t handle that type of pressure.”

After some more consideration, the career she wanted to pursue became clear, and Texas Tech University was the college for her.

“My plans after high school are to go to Tech and hopefully get my bachelor’s,” Bridges said, “so I can continue on to medical school and become a pediatrician.”

To be at a point where she can proclaim such commitment and see that graduation is nearing here at SEHS, it is a bittersweet moment, considering the hardship that she has faced in her high school career when moving to SE.

“Five years ago, I didn’t think I would even want to finish school at Springlake-Earth. My classmates made it hard to want to come to school. It was different being the new kid and moving to a school where everyone grew up with each other. Fitting in the first year was a challenge for me.”

Over time, however, SE became her home, and she began working towards a GPA and grades she could be proud of.

“An accomplishment I’m most proud of would definitely be working my butt off my entire high school career to get mostly A’s and have a high GPA,” Bridges said.

Through her determination and persistency, Jenna hopes to find herself settled in a house, finished with school, and with a good paying job in the years to come. No matter where her future takes her, Jenna knows that there are three aspects of life she will be fulfilling.

“I am going to have a conversation with Parker McCollum, have a successful life, and get a Bronco,” Bridges said.

Senior Jenna Bridges (Jenna )

With graduation approaching and being a step closer to her college journey, Jenna could not be more excited.

“I’m more than excited to graduate. There’s no words to explain how exciting it is to finish these last couple of weeks of school,” Bridges said. “What I’m most looking forward to after graduation is definitely the parties, all of the food, and seeing my family that’s coming to visit.”

Despite the excitement that graduation brings, Jenna is going to miss her underclassmen friends and teachers who have made her time at SEHS memorable and a time to cherish.

“I’ll miss my underclassmen friends the most along with the teachers who have helped me throughout the years to get to where I am,” Bridges said.

Those people will also miss Jenna, including friend, freshman Natalie Rosalez.

“I really look up to Jenna because she’s always on top of things,” Rosalez said. “She’s always motivated and in a good mood. I hope nothing but the best. She’s going to do good things.”

For the teachers who have had Jenna in class, they wish her the best as she ventures into the journey that awaits her outside of Springlake-Earth.

“‘She’s probably the blondest girl in athletics,'” Coach Jeri Been Goodman said. “No, really, I honestly love the girl. She’s been a part of athletics for three years running cross country, track, and being a basketball manager. I think she’s got a bright future, and I wish her the best of luck.”

As Jenna prepares to walk the stage, she hopes to leave one idea with those that have surrounded her, especially her underclassmen.

“Always try your best in everything you do. In the end, it pays off. Everything you’ve done will be recognized,” Bridges said. “This last year is going to fly by! You want to make the absolute most of anything and everything you do!”