Student-athlete honored at Grand Island Board of Education meeting

Story and Photo by Alice Gerard

Senior Contributing Writer

The Grand Island Board of Education honored Brooke Christensen, senior track and field athlete, at its meeting held Tuesday at Grand Island High School.

“She is such a humble, wonderful young lady,” Grand Island High School Assistant Principal Jaime Peld said. “She is going to be going to the University of Akron next year to play Division I track and field. She is now, as of this past weekend, an All-American in shot put.”

“You make me and our community and our school so proud,” Board President Ashli Skura Dreher said. “As a mom of girls, (I believe) you are such a role model to female athletes. Congratulations.”

Grand Island Central School District Superintendent Dr. Brian Graham told Brooke, “Congratulations. I am very proud of you. I have known you for nine years. I was just telling you, as I walked in, that I see you so determined and working with a private coach or your brother on the football field in the summer, practicing your technique. That has been true of you every year.”

“My brother taught me everything,” Brooke said.

Brooke, who served as the high school ambassador at the board meeting, added, “I earned my third sectional title in the weight throw, earning me a trip to Staten Island to compete at the Indoor Track Championships, where I placed third. This past weekend, I went to Virginia Beach for the Adidas Track Nationals, where I became an All-American.”

Brooke explained how she became an All-American in shot put. She said that, at the Adidas Track Nationals, “They took the top nine to finals, so you get three throws, and the top nine get three more. I went into finals as eighth. I was going to finish sixth until my last throw, which I had to reset twice because it was not looking good. So, I reset twice and then had my best throw of the day.”

For this spring in outdoor track, Brooke said she is hoping to “return to states,” and that she is hoping to throw the shot put 42 feet in competition.

In addition to athletics, Brooke serves as the Class of 2025 president and the student council vice president.

At the meeting, she talked about events at the high school, including a fundraiser for a Buffalo high school student.

“Two weeks ago was our Clash of the Vikings Week,” Brooke said. “Overall, this was a huge success with the seniors winning, but we also did something new this year. Each class carried around a water jug that was their class color, and (they) collected spare change from their classmates and school staff. Although this was a class competition – trying to see which class could raise the most money – it was for an amazing cause.

“Dakarai Jackson Jr., a senior at Tapestry High School in Buffalo, was recently diagnosed with acute B cell leukemia. We were able to collect $3,000 in spare change to donate to the Jackson family.”

Brooke said she intends to study education at the University of Akron.