John Honce, Myleigh Smell to Address Peers as BHS Senior Class Representatives at Senior Assembly
By Connect-Bridgeport Staff on May 20, 2025
Addressing their peers at this week's Bridgeport High School Senior Assembly, Wednesday, May 21, are Senior Class Representatives John Honce and Myleigh Smell.
The tradition of having two students speak during the assembly is based on academics, character, and leadership as well as involvement in school, activities, and community. Honce and Sell were chosen by the Bridgeport High School faculty.
Not surprisingly, both were named as students of the month earlier this year. The following are those student of the month summaries of the Class of 2025 as Senior Class Representatives.
JOHN HONCE
John Honce is the child of Amy and James Honce (deceased). He has lived in Bridgeport all his life attending JES, BMS, and BHSl. He also has an older sister, Autumn, who has attended these schools as well. In Homeroom during the academic day, he can be found.
practicing in the band room; singing with the choir club; or attending a French Honorary, Key Club, National Honor Society, Quiz Bowl, or
Thespian Society meeting. While he dedicates almost all of his free time during the academic day to the clubs and programs of BHS, he also chooses to spend most of his time outside of school hours on many of these programs as well.
Thespian Society meeting. While he dedicates almost all of his free time during the academic day to the clubs and programs of BHS, he also chooses to spend most of his time outside of school hours on many of these programs as well.
While he is in the marching band now, John has played music all his life. Starting with singing as a young child, his love of all thing's music was ushered by both of his parents who were also musically inclined: Amy, a singer and James, a gifted guitarist. Soon his mother enrolled him in piano lessons with Renee Wyatt at seven which still continue today. As of now, he has been a percussionist for the schools since fifth grade, quads player on the drumline since his freshmen year, and pianist for the jazz band the past two years. He has also joined the newly formed BHS choir and has been selected to be part of both the WV all-state and select chamber choirs. He is happy to be sharing all of these talents with the programs offered at BHS.
This knack for music has also benefited his pursuits in the theater program at BHS. He auditioned for his first show his sophomore year, The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane, which he self-admittedly, “bellyflopped.” While he froze up during his first, his auditions since have gone far better. At BHS he has acted in Tough City: Prone to Rain, Big Fish, Beauty and the Beast, and is now simultaneously acting and music directing the program’s 2025 competitive one act play. While these shows consume the majority of his time outside of school especially during periods when shows overlap, keeping him at the school until 9pm many nights, he believes that every moment spent there is worth it.
During his freshmen year he inquired of Mr. Elliott, the director of academic teams at BHS, about bringing the Quiz Bowl team back after having paused such during the Covid-19 pandemic. He invited people to join, those people invited more, and soon the teams had shortage of possible competitors. “Mr. Elliot has fostered an excellent environment where all newcomers feel welcomed and all knowledge bases are valued.” Quiz bowl has been an amazing experience where, as he sees it, an individual’s obscurities and niche interests become their superpowers.
While he has said in the past that he would like to attend medical school to become a neurosurgeon, having enjoyed the material covered in his science-based AP classes and a deep interest in the mysteries of the brain since middle school, he could also see himself going to school for music and becoming a composer or even majoring in creative writing and becoming a novelist. Make no mistake, this scatter plot of artistic extracurriculars and STEM classes is reflected in the many paths he’s drawn to taking in the future. As he sees it, the only limit to his growing passions, is time.
MYLEIGH SMELL
Life is not a simple task for anybody. Myleigh Smell is someone who has been through many experiences, which has allowed her to learn and grow in many ways. Your true being is not at all discovered until one is put through so much that you begin to test yourself and how capable you are of withstanding the hardest challenges.
For Myleigh, others see her story as adventurous, exciting and lively, however being a triplet life is quite unique but also difficult. Triplets often share a deep bond that’s unlike any other sibling relationship. They grow up together, sharing toys, friends, every birthday, every
weekend, and almost every experience. A natural sense of competition arose among Myleigh and her siblings, whether in academics, athletics, playing games at home, or any other silly situation. While they may have a strong connection, Myleigh and her brother and sister also navigate the journey of developing their individuality; they were often encouraged to pursue their own talents, interests and identities. While doing this, the triplets are also learning how to work together and support each other, fostering a sense of teamwork and a deeper family unity.
weekend, and almost every experience. A natural sense of competition arose among Myleigh and her siblings, whether in academics, athletics, playing games at home, or any other silly situation. While they may have a strong connection, Myleigh and her brother and sister also navigate the journey of developing their individuality; they were often encouraged to pursue their own talents, interests and identities. While doing this, the triplets are also learning how to work together and support each other, fostering a sense of teamwork and a deeper family unity.
While the Smell Triplets all started out playing soccer and basketball, Myleigh fell in love with volleyball playing for her school and a travel team; she is also a hurdler for the track and field team. Life at times is a balancing act. The physical and mental aspects of athletics and academics have been a challenge for Myleigh; the classes she chose throughout her high school journey added more pressures to each passing day. She has taken two advanced placement classes and will complete her third at the end of this year. These classes contested her thinking, time management, and abilities. At times she was pushed to her limits, but her grit, determination, and childhood competitiveness has helped it all to become a very rewarding endeavor.
Growing up Myleigh and her siblings were held to a standard some would consider strict, but these standards made Myleigh to be the strong, driven and compassionate young lady she is now. The disappointments and unsuccessful trials and tribulations have pushed Myleigh towards her major accomplishments, allowing her to appreciate the growth in failure. As she journeys through her last year as a high school student athlete, she continues to impact others with her goofy, bubbly and smiley personality, whether that may be in the classroom, hallways, on the court, or even in public. She reminds herself that changing the world does not always have to begin with a big idea, but that the small acts of service and kindness each day can have an impact too! We do not always understand what other people's stories may entail and a smile or friendly gesture could change someone's outlook on their day, their week or even life!
Life as a triplet and as a student athlete is busy, rewarding and nothing short of a challenge, but Myleigh strives towards the elite level with each passing day. She dreams of pursuing a degree in pediatric nursing and she will take on the student athlete challenge yet again at the college level. Although intimidating, Myleigh will persevere through the ups and downs, keep being her fun and silly self, and be thankful for her opportunities and achievements!
