By Derrick Smith

Success is what every athlete strives for, even though it may look different for each one. For some, it may be winning a championship, while others may see success in growing as an athlete and become better than the season before. Even though the result may look a little different for each athlete, Brooklyn Revels knows what it takes in order to get there.

“For me to be successful, it took a lot of hard work,” she said. “I played catch with my dad every day and I had him pitch me balls to hit and tell me what I was doing wrong and fix it. Along with hard work, you have to have dedication and heart. You have to be willing to give it all you can to be a better player.”

Brooklyn is a senior at Empire High School, where she plays second base for the Lady Bulldogs. She began playing softball when she was in the fourth grade and she says she fell in love with it and has played it since.

The hard work that she put in was tough, but Revels knows that she would not be where she is today without a few special people that she has had in her life.

“The biggest influences in my life are my mom and dad,” she said. “They pushed me to be my best every day and are always there for me no matter what. Another person who has impacted my life is Toni Kelly. She was three years older than me. She always told me how to do something if I was having trouble with it, and she would always come over and play catch or hit with me. She really had a big impact on my life in many ways with softball being a big part.”

Along with softball, Brooklyn is also a member of the Future Farmers of America program. She serves as the chapter president and shows pigs.

“FFA has taught me so much. I have been successful in FFA thanks to my parents and my Ag teacher,” she said.