Senior Spotlight: 'Effort, determination, and attitude can help me progress as a man'
EDITOR'S NOTE: The Times Recorder will highlight a senior from each of the seven Muskingum County schools. They were nominated for a Senior Spotlight by their school administration.
NEW CONCORD — Bryer Shipley has been facing down challenges since birth.
The John Glenn senior was born three months premature, weighing only 1 pound, 9 ounces, and underwent open heart and double hernia surgeries as a baby.
He was also diagnosed with Spastic Diplegic Cerebral Palsy, which affects his flexibility.
Yet, those physical challenges never prevented Shipley from taking the football field or excelling in the classroom.
"(SDCP) doesn't affect my strength or anything else, it just means I don't have a lot of muscular flexibility. It's hard to hurdle, and I have to take small strides," Shipley said. "I didn't let it make me a liability. I wanted to be treated like everyone else, and Coach (Matt) Edwards never took it easy on me. I really appreciated that."
Shipley started playing football in sixth grade at the urging of his friends. He admitted the first year was rough, but he found a place on the defensive line. He embraced his role and enjoyed the time he spent with his teammates.
"I found my niche. I was a scrapper and gave it 100% every time I took the field," Shipley said. "The locker room was the best part, getting to hang with my teammates and developing that camaraderie. Those are bonds that will never be broken, especially with my senior teammates."
Along with being a nose guard and letter winner for the Muskies, Shipley took part in the Future Farmers of America chapter at the school. He has no background with farming, but the "hands-on experience" drew him to the organization.
This year, he was voted the vice president and helped run the parliamentary meetings.
"I wanted to take part of the shop side and do thing like welding," he said. "I also moved up and took on more leadership roles. I ran my own committee and helped run the meetings. I've learned the importance of communicating and enjoyed being a leader."
Shipley shines in the classroom, sporting a 3.8 grade-point average and takes several advance placement (AP) classes. He also enjoys math, which is why he is planning to double major in mechanical engineering and mathematics at Mount Vernon Nazarene.
"Calculus is my favorite subject, and I like to see the mechanical side of things like how they work and putting them together," he said. "My teachers have been fantastic and really helpful, and Coach Edwards really pushed me. It's pretty cool that they would give me this moment of recognition."
Seeing Shipley overcome obstacles and never making excuses is what left an impression on Edwards, who teaches AP American History and AP Government & Politics.
"Bryer has achieved high academic accolades while also competing in varsity sports and other extracurricular activities," Edwards said. "He has held leadership roles (with FFA) as the chapter's secretary, historian, and vice president. He has completed 75 plus hours of service by taking part in competitions and community service projects while in high school.
"Bryer has always been a team-first guy who is highly respected by coaches and teammates," he added. "He refuses to allow his limitations to change his commitment and dedication to the football program."
The excitement of graduation looms for Shipley. He recently returned from being a sixth grade camp counselor and is ready to enjoy his summer, which includes a job as a cashier at Orems Hardware.
While many have helped Shipley overcome his obstacles, his parents, Steve and Michele Shipley, deserve their credit. Both have always supported him, and, he noted, "without their support, I wouldn’t have accomplished some of the things that I did.
"My parents have been extremely helpful in helping me deal with my Cerebral Palsy. Both of them truly push me to be a better version of myself, both physically and mentally," he said. "From my mom, I got an overwhelming sense of positivity and happiness. My mom truly taught me how to present myself and to overcome my limits with a smile on my face.
"From my dad, I got an undying sense of perseverance. My dad always used the word grit which, to me, means to overcome a great challenge with nothing but raw effort," he added. "Without that sense of grit, I wouldn’t have been able to push past the things that limit me. Only effort, determination, and attitude can help me progress as a man, and I certainly have my parents to thank for their constant help."
bhannahs@gannett.com
Twitter: @brandonhannahs
This article originally appeared on Zanesville Times Recorder: 'Effort, determination, and attitude can help me progress as a man'
