She’s active at Simpson Creek Baptist Church and an aspiring math teacher. He’s a world traveler with a soft spot for journalism. Together, Emily Hefner and Patsy “Tre” Trecost are Bridgeport High School senior class representatives for 2014.

What’s that mean?

 

Of 177 students about to graduate from BHS, these two students have been selected by school faculty/administration to address their peers during the May 19 senior assembly. Because of their academic success, extracurricular involvement and leadership qualities, school principals and teachers believe Hefner and Trecost are good student examples and have some words of wisdom for their fellow graduates.

 

The selection process started with nominations from faculty; those nominations being narrowed by faculty vote to a pool of 20 - 10 boys and 10 girls. A second vote took place to determine senior class representatives, as well as top vote getters Mr. and Miss BHS, who will have the honor of speaking at graduation. 

 

Having just found out Monday that they were selected for the prestigious honor, both have only just begun forming their thoughts for their senior assembly addresses. But they are most happy to speak out about what makes them tick.

 

“I’m very involved with ‘H.I.S. Bridge Builders” mission work,” Hefner said. “My grandmother is actually one of the leaders in this area so she got me very involved in that work in Laurel Lanes and Monticello Ave.”

 

That work has helped her put her life goals into perspective.

 

“I would really love to do mission work after college – to go around working and helping people,” said Hefner, who said involvement in the work at such a young age has been a driving force in her life.

 

Hefner plans to attend Marshall University this fall, majoring in secondary education with an emphasis in math and minor in special education.

 

But before that, she will be attending church camp at Camp Cowen, where she has attended for several years.

 

“I’m finally old enough to be a counselor. I’ll be a counselor for two weeks and a camper for one week this summer,” she said.

 

She will not leave BHS without thanking her peers, school administration and faculty, her family – and God – for guidance and support.

 

“I’ll focus on thanking everyone who gave me the opportunity, including my senior class for being so wonderful throughout these four years. I couldn’t have done it without them or my family,” she said. “And most definitely, I want to just to shine a light on God, especially. He gave me this opportunity and I want to put him in the spotlight.”

 

The daughter of Chip and Tawnya Hefner and granddaughter of Gwen Cornman and Allen and Sandy Hefner, the 2014 BHS senior class representative is student body president and a four-year member of the student council executive board. She’s a four-year honor student and three-year letterman on the varsity tennis team. She serves on the school improvement council and was a senior homecoming princess. Hefner is an active member of YoungLife, a volunteer with the Bridgeport Little League Challenger Division. She’s a photo journalist and has participated in BHS Journalism all four years of high school.

 

Being selected senior class representative was certainly a surprise to Hefner, but likewise a true honor.

 

“It is extremely important to know how much the faculty and principals think of me,” she said.

Trecost is likewise thrilled to be named senior class representative.

 

“It’s really just an honor to have faculty believe I’m qualified to do this job. It’s such an honor to speak in front of my class and some parents and be one of the last voices they hear in their memories of a major stepping stone in high school,” he said.

 

For Trecost, a highlight of that major stepping stone – and of his life – has been the summer 2013 trip to southwestern Europe through the BHS French program. Stops included those in Padua, Verona, Venice and Florence, Italy; Cannes and Paris, France and London, England.

 

“It’s really been one of the best experiences of my life, so far,” he said.

 

When it comes to academics success, Trecost is well rounded. But he has a soft spot for journalism, he said.

 

“I’m really involved in the journalism department here at BHS. It’s really been a passion for me since I’ve been here,” he said. “It’s been a place to be with friends and to make friends. With math, science and English, there’s a lot of book work, but this is a different kind of work. It’s the real world; a different side of the brain.”

 

In addition to his work in journalism, Trecost is a member of the French club, French honorary, TEAMS and Christian Club. He is president of the National Honor Society and has been involved in school theater programs and “Shop for Tots.” He attends All Saints Catholic Church, where he serves as a lector and vacation bible school teacher. He has studied piano since he was seven years old. During summers, he works for Clarksburg City Parks and Recreation. The 2014 BHS senior class representative is the son of Patsy Trecost II and the late Christie Trecost.

 

Unsure of his post-high school graduate plan, he is in the process of visiting universities and making that decision, as well as what field of study will best suit his life’s pursuit. The sky is the limit, he said. In fact, that’s one piece of advice he would like to leave with the underclassmen of BHS.

 

“Never underestimate yourself. Push yourself as far as you can from your freshman year on,” he said. “I look back on what I’ve done and I’m glad I persevered through AP classes and not said that I’d settle for less. Take advantage of what this school offers you – such as a great education.”

 

Senior assembly will take place at 9 a.m. Wednesday, May 14. Graduation will follow on Saturday, May 17 at 9 a.m., weather permitting, at Wayne Jamison Field.