Raising Cane’s Community Engagement Award: Helping others motivates Pickerington’s Todd
Brenna Todd had her share of role models growing up, not only when it came to lacrosse but also giving back to her community.
One is her older brother, Garyck, who played and coached lacrosse at Pickerington Central and now is head coach at his alma mater, Wilmington College.
Another is former Central girls great Kat Walton, who went on to play at Capital.
Todd hopes she can be an example for someone younger someday, but that is not why she devotes herself to public service whenever possible.
“I am basically just glad to do public service for people. Pickerington is a big part of who I am,” Todd said. “I’ve lived here my entire life. I’ve been in the same house for 18 years. It’s giving back to a community that has given so much to me. I really want to put myself out there whenever I can and help younger people.
“I think it’s nice for the younger (athletes) to see an individual they can look up to. I aspire to be that person for them.”
Todd’s willingness to help others and desire to have an impact are among the reasons she was honored with a Raising Cane’s Community Engagement Award, which was presented during the Central Ohio High School Sports Awards on June 15 at the Ohio Theatre.
A recent graduate of Central, Todd was vice president of the student council, a member of the principal’s advisory committee and National Honor Society and a volunteer in other community organizations in addition to being a four-year letterwinner in lacrosse and three-year letterwinner in cross country.
Todd will play lacrosse at University of the Cumberlands, an NAIA school in Williamsburg, Kentucky.
“She always has to be busy and involved in things,” Central girls lacrosse coach Brian Walton said. “Whether she is working, playing lacrosse or keeping her grades up, volunteering her time, she is always active and involved.”
Todd also was a member of the Sunny Side Up peer support group for three years and volunteered to read to elementary-school students in the district. She was a volunteer coach in the Pickerington LaxCats youth program and helped coach younger cross country runners.
She also worked a summer job with Inner Circle Communities, where she served as a role model for disabled or troubled youths and advised them on various subjects, including life matters and school-related challenges as well as helping on field trips.
“Last year, she received more votes for a captain than a senior or anyone else. That’s because her teammates recognize the leadership qualities in her,” coach Walton said. “She has just always been one to reach out to younger players and take them under her wing.”
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This article originally appeared on ThisWeek: Helping others motivates Pickerington Central graduate Brenna Todd
