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FEATURED SENIOR ATHLETE: Evelyn Briones, Greencastle
Evelyn is a senior at Greencastle and participates in two sports, soccer and basketball.
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Banner Graphic: How important are sports to you, and what have you learned from them?
Evelyn Briones: “Sports are very important to me. I’m sad now that I’m not playing any as I’ve been in a sport since I was a toddler. I’ve grown to like them and have done them all year round. They’ve taught me a lot about teamwork. I can tell how much they’ve affected me going into the workforce as it’s gotten me to be more social as I’ve always been involved in team sports.”
BG: Talk about your sports.
EB: “They were both really good seasons. I didn’t expect basketball would be that good but it ended up being a pretty fun season. Soccer was a lot of fun and we went far this season.”
BG: What’s the most embarrassing thing that has happened to you in sports?
EB: “Getting in a fight during a club soccer game. I had my head slammed against the ground and retaliated. Afterward, I was very embarrassed.”
BG: What does your game day routine look like?
EB: “Since I was a sophomore, I would go with Madi (Plew), Ali (Dobbs) and Stephanie (Morales) to the store, getting sushi before soccer and Lean Cuisine before basketball games. We’d go to Starbucks, come back to the school and get ready.”
BG: Do you have any favorite college/pro sports teams or athletes you follow?
EB: “Not really.”
BG: You mentioned sports have helped you in the workforce. What else has sports helped you with in that regard?
EB: “If I didn’t play sports, I don’t think I would engage as much as I do. I work in a nursing home and I’m very social, always talking to people there. I would be more timid and not speak up without sports. As a freshman, there were times I had to speak up and speak my mind. Eventually I became a captain and created a voice over the years. Because I have that voice, it transfers over to my coworkers. I’m not scared to speak up if I have something on my mind or let people know if something isn’t right.”
BG: What else do you do at school besides things involving sports?
EB: “I work mostly. I am an ambassador for Area 30. I also try to go to some of the younger girls’ games as I helped coach them.”
BG: What do you like to do outside of school and sports?
EB: “I hang out with family and try to go to my cousins’ games.”
BG: What are your favorites in reading, movies, TV and music?
EB: “My screen time on my phone is around seven hours as I watch a lot of TV shows on it. I have them playing constantly.”
BG: Are you a person who wants to watch TV shows and movies or stream something from YouTube, Twitch, TikTok etc. or do something else with your free time?
EB: “I’d ask Ali and Madi what they were doing, get Starbucks if we don’t already have it and, if the night is free, I’d clean my room. I don’t have a lot of time normally, so if the chance is there, I’d take it.”
BG: What is something you have never done before that you would like to do someday?
EB: “Swim with dolphins in the ocean.”
BG: What is your biggest fear?
EB: “Being kidnapped.”
BG: You’ve been placed in charge of making dinner. What’s on the menu?
EB: “Cottage cheese and fruit cocktail.”
BG: Do you have any pets?
EB: “I have two fish, Gerald and Dee, two cats, Mavis and Bailey, and two dogs, Bruno and Betsy.”
BG: If your house were on fire, all living things were already out and you have your keys, cell phone, wallet/purse etc., what is one thing you would go back and get?
EB: “Probably my Lego sets. I have three main ones and two succulents.”
BG: A family member has hit the lottery. After everything is paid off and money is set away for the future, you’ve been asked to buy something you have always wanted to get. What are you asking for?
EB: “A shelter home for animals. I would dogs, cats, farm animals, etc. Any type of animal that has been abandoned, I would take it in at my shelter.”
BG: If you were to describe your personality in one word, what would that word be and why?
EB: “Nosy. I’m always wondering what everyone is up to. If I see an emergency vehicle, I’m the kind to want to follow it. If I see something weird happening, I’m always watching. I’m the type to be concerned about people and get into their business a lot. I like to know things about what’s going on.”
BG: What has been your favorite place to visit?
EB: “Isla Mujeres in Cancun, Mexico. We took a boat over there. I enjoyed seeing the different culture over there and everything was interesting. There were shops everywhere and the shop owners had no concept of space when they came up to you. I love the culture there.”
BG: What was your favorite school field trip?
EB: “We went to Turkey Run and that was really cool. They had a nature museum, a bird cage and everything. They had trails and an obstacle course we could take.”
BG: How important is support from your family and classmates to your success?
EB: “Very important. I’m concerned with how people feel about me and if my dad is mad at me, it affects me a lot as I am a very emotional person. The same goes for friends like Madi. I love having their support the same way I love to give them mine.”
BG: Describe your overall school experience both academically and athletically.
EB: “Academically, I could have done better, but Greencastle is a very good place. I feel I get more from this school than I would from others. I’ve had great interactions with all my coaches and good experiences with all my teams. The coaches have done a good job with their teaching, even if coaches are coming and going a lot. I don’t have anything to complain about.”
BG: If your school was to offer a class it currently doesn’t, what would you want to see taught?
EB: “I like how some of the county schools have JAG courses. My boyfriend has told me a lot about them and it seems like a really good experience to have. They do a lot with the food pantry and get a lot of business and college experience.”
BG: What are your plans for after high school, and what career are you headed toward?
EB: “I plan to attend Indiana University - Indianapolis for nursing and have a plan for my career. I want to do travel nursing, leaning toward the emergency room. After 10 years or so, I want to become a realtor.”
BG: Is it difficult to keep up with your school work being an athlete?
EB: “No. Not if you have your priorities straight. I feel the school does a good job balancing home work and sports. They give us a lot of time to get work done.”
BG: Which particular classes and teachers have helped you the most in high school?
EB: “At Area 30, my nursing teacher, Mrs. Baker, has helped me a lot and helped guide in my career path. I got interested in her class and she is an amazing teacher.”
BG: In the future, once you’ve established yourself, if you had your choice, would you want to live in the mountains, on the beach or in the neighborhood?
EB: “Honestly, the only place I’ve thought about living is in Putnam County. I like the Greencastle area, a town with country not far away as I want to have a lot of land and animals when I’m older. I like how it’s also just an hour drive to get to places like Avon or Terre Haute.”
BG: Do you think high school has gone fast, and are you going to miss it?
EB: “Yes. It has gone by very fast. I remember day one of coming in to now being a senior. I am going to miss it but I’m also excited about moving on. It was a good experience but I don’t think I’m going to lament not being in high school still. I’m ready to go out and enjoy new experiences.”