Brianna Crabtree

Brianna Crabtree – Kentucky
Nomination by Nate Rush
Photography by Lyndsey Boyd 
​Issue 57 of Inspiring Teens Magazine
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Nomination: Bri Crabtree is inspiring due to her will to help others and put them before herself. While being a full-time mom in her senior year of high school, Bri graduated in the top 5% of our class, even speaking at our graduation ceremony. While keeping her grades up, Bri also accumulated over 300 hours of community service as a high school student and participated as an athletic training student aid for our state champion football team. Even more, Bri job shadowed a first grade teacher for 12 hours a week, finding her career passion.
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Photography by Lyndsey Boyd

Tell us about your little boy - all bragging is applauded and appreciated!
My son's name is Beaumont, but we call him Beau for short. He is a red headed, blue eyed, mess that always has a smile, or smirk, on his face. He is just over 14 months old, and loves to play in water and read "Brown Bear". He is a daredevil and doesn't allow fear to stop him. Beau has brought an immense amount of joy in our family and I am extremely honored to be his mama!

What is the best part of being a teen mom?
I think the best part of being a teen mom would have to be the support system I have gained. Beau is a popular man back in central KY, and everyone adores his smile. I love that I got to experience our football season, homecoming, prom, and graduation with our little boy. My friends, family, and teachers at my high school really supported my decisions and poured their love into Beau whenever they saw him.

What was the hardest part about being a teen mom in highschool, and how did you get around it?
The hardest thing about being a mom in high school would be the social reservations. Being such a social person, it was hard at first for me to see all of my friends doing things, while I was home with Beau. I felt left out and like no one wanted to be friends with me because I had to change diapers and schedule feedings and naps. However, I found a great group of people that encouraged me and helped me all the time. Beau now has the best aunts and uncles that would do anything for him and me.

How did you maintain such a high gpa while having so many other responsibilities?
Quickly as I came into high school, I made the goal for me to graduate at the top of my class. From then on, I worked toward my goal and didn't make excuses. Once Beau came along, and I got in the heat of my extracurriculars, there was no time to waste. I knew if I wanted to accomplish my goal, I had to keep my head down and work. I surrounded myself with people who had the same goal as me and I was constantly challenged to be better.

What did you talk about at your high school graduation?
I was chosen to close out my commencement ceremony this year because of my class standing. In my closing and tassel ceremony, I reminisced about my last four years with my classmates, thanking my teachers for the memories I will never forget. I celebrated the accomplishments of my class, and gave a large amount of thanks to my insanely comical principal. It was just a great recap and final goodbye for my classmates and our families that I was honored to be invited to recite.

Photography by Lyndsey A. Photography

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​How did you find and why did you choose Lyndsey Boyd for your senior photographer?
I met Lyndsey when she worked at our family restaurant in our hometown when she was in high school. I have always looked up to her, so when she founded her photography business, I was dead-set on working with her. I applied to be one of her Senior Representatives and was chosen to represent her brand!

What was your experience like before, during and after? What did you love most about your photoshoot?
Lyndsey did a phenomenal job of making her senior reps feel special and beautiful, giving us the movie star treatment. Before our session, she made us all sweatshirts and cupcakes for our meeting date! The day of, we had our hair and makeup done professionally, and got to pick a variety of outfits and a group of locations! My session was WONDERFUL and she even got some pictures of Beau and I! After, she had a quick turnaround and I loved all of the pictures! My favorite part, was that she made a special playlist with my favorite music for the session!

Tell us more about your duties as an athletic training student aid for your state champion football team.
I assisted the head athletic trainer in our school district with our football team since the spring of my freshman year. We focus on acute, preventative, and rehabilitation care for our players. We go to every practice, game, scrimmage, 7on7, camp, etc. I deal with cuts, bruises, strains, sprains, and in unfortunate cases, breaks and more serious injuries. Basically, when someone gets hurt, I am there to help get them medical care.

What was it like going to the championship game with them and then winning?
I had a very lucky experience with my football team, as we graduated as Back to Back State Champions our junior and senior years, and the State Runner-Ups our sophomore year. It was always exhilarating and rewarding for our hard year at work. Our senior year, my boyfriend and I were able to celebrate with our son on the field with us!

Image by Amber Sears Photography

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​What were some of the community service projects you did?
I led three big community service projects my junior and senior years that were very rewarding. My junior year, I led a first-responder sweet treat pack. My friend and I made goodies and cards with our peer tutoring special needs class and delivered them! I also was the Meal Pack Student Director for my districts meal pack during the COVID-19 Pandemic. My senior year, I was the Blood Drive Coordinator at my high school, and we collected the second-highest amount of blood in the state!

Where did you spend your most service hours and why?
In my time of community service, I have spent the most time volunteering in the children's classes at my church. I have been volunteering since the 6th grade, and I absolutely love working with those kids. Currently, my mom and I lead the Superstars Room for exceptional children. I spend most of my time there, because it has become a community for my family, where we love to worship Jesus.

What leadership opportunities did you have within those hours?
In my community service hours, I have had the opportunity to lead a First Responder Thank You event, I was the student coordinator of the blood drives at my high school, I have been on the leadership team at my church, I was the student director for my school district meal packing event, and I am a leader at a special needs foundation where we play baseball each fall.

What inspiring things about you does your nomination not cover?
I have a large heart for exceptional children. These children inspire me more than I can put words to. I have had the opportunity to peer tutor students at my high school, and work with a special needs baseball team in the fall of each year, and that is a main reason I want to go into education. I believe that everyone in this world can learn gratitude and compassion if you spend 5 minutes with a group of people who need your help.

If you were to present a topic to a group of your peers, what would it be?
I am passionate about the growth of others. I want to aid the children that need extra love to be able to soar, if it is emotional, mental, or intellectual. I want to be able to help people. I am a person who values the help I am given, and exerts the most help and love to others that I can give.

What is the hardest thing you have ever accomplished, and how did you do it?
The hardest thing I have accomplished is definitely the birth and development of my son. Being an 18 year old mom is not easy, but my family and friends helped me soar academically and personally.

Image by Sweet Mustard Seed Photography

​What advice would you give to someone who wants to be where you are today?
My biggest advice for someone would be to build a good support system for whatever endeavors you want to continue with. Life is hard to navigate without the support of people, so find a group, whether it be friends, family, or a church community, that shares your values and goals to all be supportive.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years/what are your plans?
In 5 years, I plan to be starting my first year of teaching, hopefully back in my hometown. My dream is to be teaching either 1st grade or Kindergarten.

What is your favorite activity or pastime that was not in your nomination?
I used to play softball and be involved in theatre! I am thinking of minoring in theatre education!

Do you have a hidden talent? What is it?!
I am able to tape an ankle in under 90 seconds!

3 Things on your bucket list
Go to all 7 continents, write a book, visit all 50 states

Who do you find inspiring?
I find my mom, Angela, and my grandma, Connie, to be the two strongest and most inspiring women I have had the pleasure to meet. They constantly put others before themselves and have both never failed to show others the worth they possess.

What about you inspires others/why do you think you are inspiring?
I think the stereotypical association with teen pregnancy, and how far I am from that, is what brings the inspiration. I didn't give up, and I didn't let the stereotype define me.

Is there anything else you would like to tell us?
Regardless of the outcome, I am honored to be able to share my story to others. I am not the traditional high school student, but I am happy I have had the experiences to share with my son.

Look for Brianna in issue 57 of Inspiring Teens Magazine!

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click here for more information on issue 57

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