Kristen Crowder and Vincent Pinti have been named Miss and Mr. Bridgeport High School, an honor annually bestowed upon BHS seniors who exemplify positive school and life spirit.

 

“The faculty votes for students who have good character, are kind and caring individuals, have a love for BHS, good school involvement and who would be good representatives of the student body,” said BHS Assistant Principal Renee Mathews. “These students represent our school in those areas and many more.”

 

Crowder and Pinti will address their student peers, their families, friends and supporters at BHS graduation, which takes place Sat., May 25 at Wayne Jamison Field (weather permitting.)

 

Crowder said she has chosen to speak about all the different people who have impacted the Class of 2019, shaping the group of students into the people they are today.

 

A decorated two-sport athlete, Honor Society and journalism department member, Crowder said she is honored to hold the title of Miss BHS.

“I never expected to receive such a high honor! I’m so blessed to have teachers who think highly of me and support me in everything I do,” she said. “I’ve worked so hard throughout my high school career and this makes my graduation even more special.”

 

The daughter of Ed and Vickie Crowder, she is a member of the varsity volleyball team which – for the first time in school history – won the AA State Championship in 2018. In 2016, the team achieved AA state runner-up and Crowder has been named 1^st team All-County and 1^st Team Big 10 her sophomore, junior and senior years. Her senior year, she was selected 2018 All-Big 10 Conference player of the year.

 

Crowder is also a field and track athlete, taking the win in high jump at last weekend’s Region II meet. She was also a member of the 4X100, 4X200 and 4X400 relay teams – all which placed first in regionals. This weekend, Crowder and her team are vying for state titles in Charleston. In 2016 and 2018, the BHS girls captured the win in Class AA and Crowder was high jump state champion in 2018. Her relay teams hold school records and the 4X400 broke all-time records for all classes in 2017.

 

Also serving as corresponding secretary of the BHS Chapter of National Honor Society, member of the Drug-Free Club and three-year recipient of academic letters and lamps, Crowder said her years at BHS have taught her so much.

 

“Not only have I learned high level academics, but I’ve learned how to be a leader, work hard, and always give back,” she said. “These are things that I will use for the rest of my life!”

 

Crowder plans to attend West Virginia Wesleyan College, where she will study biochemistry and be part of the track and field team. The daughter of Vickie and Ed Crowder, she is a member of Simpson Creek Baptist Church.

 

Pinti is a member of the BHS Science Bowl, Quiz Bowl and History Bowl, serving as A Team captain for the latter two. He is a two-time winn7  er of the WV Geography Olympiad, WV Voice of Democracy winner, Knight of the Golden Horseshoe, Envision Leader and a Frank Taylor Jr. Award Recipient at WV Boys State.

 

He is a member of the National Honor Society, Inspire USA and Key Club. Pinti is also a writer and has been recognized by the WVU School of Journalism and Media for feature writing. He writes for Connect-Bridgeport, including his blog, “Vincent’s Views.”

 

Pinti has been active in BHS Theater all four years, involved in three of the four state winning Thespian One Acts from BHS and has traveled to the International Thespian Festival in Lincoln, Nebraska. He placed in a most outstanding scene at the State Thespian Festival in 2018 and was a part of the all-festival cast. Two years ago, he achieved most outstanding monologue at the State Thespian Festival and carried that performance to an honorary debut at “WV Arts Alive!”

 

The son of Donna Booth and Jon Pinti, Mr. BHS is an AP Merit Scholarwith Distinction, scoring a 4 or higher on 6 or more Advanced Placement Exams through the College Board Program.

 

In February, Pinti gave an impassioned presentation at the State Capitol on the Omnibus Education Bill. He has always had a knack for public speaking and plans to attend the University of Michigan in the fall to study political science and go on to law school. He has high hopes of being an advocate for American with Disabilities. This is largely a result of being diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy type II, a neuromuscular disease that he has been living with since birth. He has been heavily involved with the CureSMA Foundation and the Make-A-Wish Foundation, including fundraisers sponsored by DECA two years ago.

 

Pinti said he was honestly caught off guard with the announcement that he had been named Mr. BHS.

 

“I was not expecting it at all,” he said. “I was speechless. It really is such an honor. My classmates and had voted me ‘Most Likely to Succeed’ and for my friends and teachers to have that much faith in me, despite the adversities I have means so much. They saw me for who I truly am,” he said. “This wasn’t something I asked for or tried to pursue. It’s something that just happened and that’s the best way for things like this to happen.”

 

Pinti said the teachers he has encountered during his four years of high school have had big impact on him.

 

“There have been some bumps in the road, but by far, it’s been outstanding. The teachers at BHS are very professional and very knowledgeable in all content areas I’ve ever been involved with,” he said. “They also have a great sense of humility and really know how to connect with people and share their personal stories with us.”

 

It’s important for students to have adults in their lives who not only teach academics, but teach life skills, such as how to speak to people and be expressive, Pinti said. He and his classmates are fortunate to have experienced that environment, he said.

 

Pinti’s speech at Saturday’s graduation will center around acceptance of people despite our differences.

 

“The idea is that this honor of Mr. BHS is not really just for me. It’s for all students. I can reach into my memory and think of the times I’ve been supported personally and helped,” he said.

 

Pinti is grateful for his high school education and the goals he – with the help of his student peers, educators and other supporters – has been able to achieve.

 

“If we give our all in everything we do, people will understand what you’re doing and be appreciative of everything you do,” he said. “You have to give 100 percent and that’s something I’ve always tried to do in all of my activities.”

 

Crowder and Pinti were both named BHS Students of the Month; Crowder for August and Pinti for October 2018. 

 

Editor's Note: Action photos are by Ben Queen Photography. Image of Crowder and PInti is courtesy of BHS Journalism, Lilah Kimble and Mallory Leadman.