BRI’ANNA “BRI” JEFFERSON
Idabel High School
Choctaw Nation
Bri’Anna Jefferson or Bri as most people know her is the oldest of 14 siblings and is a senior at Idabel High School where she is a competitive multi-sport athlete. Depending on the time of year you’ll find her on the softball diamond, in cheer or in track and cross country.
“Out of all of these I like cross country best because it helps me release a lot of anger or frustration if I need to. Last year was my first time to run cross country and I think I try my hardest at it because I love to succeed in it like placing in a meet at Valliant last season.”
Bri has also been on the pageant circuit for 11 years and is the current Miss Idabel High School.
But perhaps the most important thing to Bri is being Choctaw. She recalls learning about the Trail of Tears march that forced over 13,000 of her ancestors from their home in Mississippi to Oklahoma in the 1830’s and how that still impacts her life today.
“The fact that they walked so long and so far for so long in heat and cold, losing members along the way but kept on going, is what motivates me today. So, if I’m down or feeling negative, I think of my ancestors and what they went through.”
Bri credits a couple of her close ancestors, her mother Ronniesha Baker, and her grandma for a lot of her success.
“My mom has been one of the most wise and inspiring people in my life. No matter how hard things were for her, she always did her best to go after what she wanted. I think I got a lot my competitive nature from my grandma from when we played games when I was younger.”
Going into her senior year at Idabel High, Bri knows that she will be called on to be a leader in her many athletic endeavors and she knows how she’ll handle that.
“I think a good leader is someone outgoing, passionate, and confident and that lifts others up when they feel they can’t do something. I use the example of how I felt just starting cross country last year but how persevering helped me have some success.”
Her track and cross country coach John Harjo appreciates the positive and confident style that Bri displays.
“She does everything with a smile. I’ve never seen Bri have a bad day.”
It’s that positivity that Bri feels is her most important contribution to team success.
“Being positive is so important because if you’re negative it makes everyone feel out of place and not want to be happy. So I try to stay positive to help my team.”
As she enters her last go around as an Idabel Warrior, Bri’Anna Jefferson knows what she would like her legacy to be.
“I want them to remember me as a positive, competitive person who loved to share and talk about her Choctaw heritage.”
