By Angela Brunk
As a senior at Emporia High School, Alivia Barrett has built a reputation as a strong leader, talented athlete, and dedicated student. A standout on the softball field, Barrett primarily plays pitcher, but her impact reaches far beyond the mound.
Motivated by her coaches, teammates, and faith, Barrett pours everything into her sport. “I work for the people around me,” she says. “It takes a village, and I trust they’ll work for me, so I work ten times harder for them. I also know that God gifted me with a talent to play a sport not everyone can play, and I want to give Him glory.”
Barrett’s foundation of strength comes from her family. She credits her mom with showing her how to stay strong through adversity and her Papa for teaching her the true meaning of leadership. “He taught me that a leader isn’t always the loudest, but the one who puts in the work and lifts others when it’s easier to leave them down,” she explained.
Academically, Barrett is deeply involved in student life. She participates in a wide range of organizations, including FCA, Student Board, National Honor Society, and Female Empowerment just to name a few. Outside of school, she’s part of her church’s worship team and spends time coaching and babysitting.
One of the highlights of her athletic career came last season in a dramatic win over Manhattan. This was a game where the odds were stacked against Emporia. In the end, all the pieces fell into place. An experience Barrett shares as an amazing moment where the team bond and the feeling of accomplishment was at an all-time high.
After high school, Barrett plans to play softball at a junior college, then pursue a degree in secondary education with a minor in sociology at a four-year college. Wherever she goes, she takes pride in representing Emporia. “Putting on that jersey is my chance to give back to a community that’s given me so much,” she said. “I play for them because I wouldn’t be who I am without them.”
