She found her voice at Bridgeport High School and has plans to continue to share that voice in her future. Meet today's Senior Face Veronica Archer:

 

Hey Veronica! It’s so nice to feature you as today’s Senior Face. Tell me about your involvement at BHS since your freshman year and your activities in the community …

As far as my involvement in BHS goes, I was in the show choir and concert choir all four years traveling to nursing homes, hospitals, and competitions. In our last competition we placed first in our division and were awarded with a superior rating.

 

The last two years I have been a member of DECA. Last year my partner and I won second place at the state competition and went to Orlando to compete internationally. Since my sophomore year I have been a part of our suicide prevention club we call Life League. Due to experiences I had before high school, as soon as I heard about this club I knew I had to join. I saw a great opportunity to share my story and positively impact the school and community. Throughout high school I have also been a member of National Honor Society, Key Club, and the Drug Free. In the community, I was involved in Clarksburg Hung Gar where I studied Kung Fu for a year and placed first in our tournament. I am also a member of Connecting Point Community Church and Young Life. I started Young Life in sixth grade; since then I have become a Junior Leader, been given multiple speaking opportunities, and gone to camp as a leader for Wyld Life (Young’s middle school division.)

 

My top three favorite sets of high school memories are being a teacher's assistant for the counselors, being part of the choir, and going to Europe. Jenna Edwards and Kristina Robinson are some of my favorite people on the planet. They are hilarious, genuine, helpful, and so kind. I am very sad to have lost the second half of my time with them. The memories I made in choir will always have a special place in my heart. There’s just nothing like an entire team of people putting their all into something and watching it pay off. The moments that stand out are choreographing with fellow senior Catherine Gray, eating raw honey before shows as a group, and participating in the All County performance this year. After my sophomore year, I was able to travel with a few of my classmates to Spain and Italy for two weeks that were incredible. I will always treasure recreating famous statues, watching movies on the planes, and watching the sky together feeling infinite in the moment.

 

What are your plans after graduation?

I will be attending Marshall University this fall to major in Psychology and minor in Religious Studies. 

 

 

What is your life’s dream? Where do you see yourself in 10 or 15 years?

In 10-15 years, my dream would be to be a pastor in the Seattle area. I hope to attend a seminary in Washington and remain in that area to go on countless adventures with my future family in the state parks there.

 

What teachers and friends at BHS have made a lasting impact?

I think that Bridgeport High School is a special place where everyone impacts each other. From my classmates I learned how to be humble and care for my peers. My best friends, Michaela and Dakota, gave me a home away from home, and I am so thankful that our adventures have only just begun with all of us going to Marshall University.

Miss Edwards helped me gain confidence and love myself. Mr. Lister is the reason I am majoring in Psychology; sometimes there are teachers who make you fall in love with their subject because of their practice of treating students as more than seats in a classroom and he is absolutely one of those teachers. 

 

Do you have a job?

I have worked at Cubby’s Childcare Center this school year. I was working with young kids who needed a place to go after school making sure they had a safe place to have fun and just be kids. I have such a heart for children, so it was the perfect job for me.

 

What are some of your favorite things like music, artists and hobbies?

My favorite artists right now are Matthew Wright and Andy Mineo. During this break I have really gotten into crocheting and am finishing my first blanket. I am a lifetime fan of the Dallas Cowboys and Los Angeles Lakers, and I am a newsupporter of all teams Marshall. GoHerd!

 

What social media platforms do you like?

I’m on Snapchat, Facebook, Instagram, Tik Tok, and Twitter

 

How has the COVID-19 pandemic affected your senior year?

It breaks my heart having to miss the second half of senior year. First semester for me was interrupted with two serious illnesses that dominated all my time from September to December. I missed nearly a month of school in total. I was really looking forward to being healthy enough to squeeze in all the classic final high school moments this semester. I have learned that online school is kind of hard haha, but on a serious note I have been able to breathe and not feel overwhelmed with a full schedule and use that time to work on myself. 

 

Tell me about your family …

Well my dad passed away four years ago. For a while, it was just my mom, K.C. Helsley, who teaches fourth grade at Johnson Elementary and my younger sisters, KaitlynArcher-Lewis who is a freshman and Bethany Archer-Lewis who is in sixth grade. My mom has since remarried her high school friend, Billy Helsley and now I have three older step-siblings Chelbi, Elijah and Nathan. Nathan has given me a three-year old nephew and both Chelbi and Eli have boys due this summer. I am also very close with my grandparents, Jim and Taffy Archer.

 

My senior year wasn’t what anybody wanted or expected, but I think that my peers, teachers, and community have been doing a fantastic job at finding the silver linings and making the most out of this situation.