Maintaining straight A’s every quarter since junior high, Bryce Bearden will be graduating Pitman High School with a 4.75 GPA as valedictorian. He has missed less than 10 days of school throughout the past four years. Bryce is completely committed to his studies. As his sister, I have personally seen and experienced his hard work at home, which report cards don’t show. Over summer he will rent text books and spend the three months most people use to go on vacation and be with friends to teach himself classes; that way he will have an easier year being familiar with the lessons. If anyone deserves the honor of being valedictorian, it’s Bryce.
Bryce is a self-driven young man who pushes himself to always do his best. He spends many hours on homework a night and to him, studies and school are always number one. Every day he has been absent, he spent it studying for a big test or FBLA competition. In the past four years he has taken 13 AP or honors classes. A lot of high school students can barely manage one or two a year. To Bryce, school is a big deal. He even made an ‘I heart neuron’ shirt for ‘I heart…’ day. His science teacher stated, “Bryce is the only student I’ve ever had to make an ‘I heart neuron’ shirt”.
Bryce may be a complete book worm, but he excels in other activities outside of school. He is an excellent black diamond skier. A lot of his peers would never know he is skilled on the slopes, but those of us who know him well, know never to challenge him in a race down the mountain. Skiing for over eight years, Bryce has developed skills better than some people who have skied for more than 15 years. He is a quick learner and never fails to impress on the slopes or in school. Skiing is just one more thing to help prove Bryce is a dedicated, willing person.
Although our parents push us to do our best in school, Bryce will be the first of our family to go to college. He has always motivated himself to stand out above his peers and because of that, he is the best of his class. Most AP students have college graduates as parents and it is expected to follow through down the generations. However, this year’s valedictorian has a different story. He will be the start of that college chain reaction in the Bearden family. Although our parents have always pushed and supported us, his self-motivation never failed. He has made many people very proud. Our mom quoted, “Bryce not only has a compassionate heart, but also an unquenchable desire to learn. He fully applies himself to any activity that he commits to and does not settle or compromise in any way. For all these traits he makes me proud!”
Bryce isn’t just a crazy smart guy, but a great role model. He has always stayed on track and done his best. Jakkob, his best friend since first grade, quoted, “It is my pleasure to say that Bryce has been my friend for nearly a decade and in those years, I have watched him become the man he is today. He is the most humble and considerate person I have ever met. I salute you, Bryce” He has never given up, and all his hard work is finally paying off. Bryce is a great friend, student, and brother. He will always be there to help you out or give a little advice. I look up to my brother and because of him; I know never to give up on something I dream of. All it takes is dedication and hard work. Graduating Pitman as valedictorian is just a start to all the things he will accomplish and succeed with in life.
