Photos Provided ABOVE: Bridgeport High School commend some top student athletes in volleyball and football. The students are taking on multiple opportunities and winning success. In the front row from left are volleyball players Chloe Cuiksa, Vanessa Mullen, Josalyn Canter, and Jayd Carman. Back row from left is Principal Jack Fisher and football players Avery Jackson, Lyrik Brown, Brode Brown, Jaki Threet, A.J. Bishop and Bridgeport Exempted Village School District Superintendent, Brent Ripley. RIGHT: Bridgeport Exempted Village School District Superintendent Brent Ripley, right, commends football players Chad Coulson and Logan Baker who attend the Belmont Career Center.

BRIDGEPORT — Bridgeport High School is recognizing some all-star student athletes who are winning honors on the field and giving their all in the classroom.

Bridgeport Exempted Village School District Superintendent Brent Ripley said their students take a lot of responsibilities on their plates.

“We have great, great kids here at Bridgeport. In your smaller schools, many of the kids have to do many activities, so when we have students that shine and go above and beyond the call of duty and are honored, it’s just a testament to the hard work they put in. It’s a testament to the hard work that the parents put in. It really just shows that they’re all-in for Bridgeport. While the fall seasons have come to an end, I am excited for our winter sports athletes. I truly enjoy watching and cheering on our Blue and Black student athletes.”

In volleyball, senior Josalyn Canter was 1st Team All-Mid-Ohio Valley League and 2nd Team District 12; Senior Vanessa Mullen was 2nd Team All-MOVL and 1st Team All Ohio Valley Athletic Conference; junior Chloe Cuiksa and freshman Jayd Carman earned Honorable Mention for District 12.

In football, senior Logan Baker earned 1st Team All-MOVL and 1st Team Eastern District 7; senior Avery Jackson is 1st Team All-MOVL and Honorable Mention Eastern District 7; senior Lyrik Brown earned 2nd Team All-MOVL; sophomore Brode Brown got 1st Team All-MOVL and 1st Team Eastern District 7; junior Jaki Threet and senior A.J. Bishop are 1st Team All-MOVL and 1st Team Eastern District 7; Chad Coulson is 2nd Team All-MOVL.

Principal Jack Fisher was proud of his students’ achievements, adding he has seen their growth firsthand.

“Those traits that got them to this point, to get those recognitions in sports, those traits are going to carry them on to do great things long after high school,” he said.

Fisher cheers them on both in athletics and academically, adding he sees their effort both as individuals and team players, supporting each other while working out and in practice as well as during games, and hanging together through wins and losses.

“I’ve been able to see them grow as student athletes. I’ve seen their character evolve, their leadership abilities evolve. Many of them show leadership in the school, not just on the field or the court, and I appreciate that from them,” Fisher said. “We’re proud of them for being a representative of Bridgeport.”

Some of the students spoke about their approach to tackling multiple demands. They often credit a supportive environment in living up to the district motto: “And as always, Go Dogs!”

Mullen said she enjoys the support of her family in keeping up with her schoolwork and athletic life while working.

“My dad was my motivation. He pushed me to go out of my comfort zone and to be in any sport that I wanted to be in,” she said. If Mullen could go back and talk to herself as a freshman, she would reinforce the importance of practice and a commitment to improvement.

“It was really tough trying to balance everything when I first got into sports, because I’ve never been in it before, but going through the years it got easier,” she said. Balance and keeping her priorities is the key.

Canter also credits her parents’ encouragement in pushing herself to always do better. Along with her senior classes, she is also a full-time student at Belmont College through the school district’s College Credit Plus program.

“I like to take a lot of time out of my day to prioritize my studies and my school time, as well as getting out on the court and that being my safe space to go and just relax,” she said. She would tell her freshman self to keep pushing herself and overcome anything in her way. “Not to give up.”

After high school, she plans to study radiology at Belmont College.

Brown is set on living up to the district’s high standards.

“I have a lot of pride for my school and I want to win for my school,” he said. He would share a message of confidence with his freshman self. He said he learned lessons of hard work, grit and determination when balancing his responsibilities.

Jackson agreed that the environment fostered success.

“A big part of my motivation is my family and the people around me, especially the school. I have a lot of good friends, and I just think that motivates me to work hard every day, and I just go all-in for them,” he said. “I’ve become a better leader over the time I’ve been here. That’s because of the leaders we have ahead of us also.”

He finds this challenging but enjoyable.

“I don’t want to look back and regret anything. I try to do as much as I can while I’m still young.”