Jessica Sevick presents to Brentwood Elementary students

By John Watson Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Olympic silver medalist Jessica Sevick spoke to Brentwood Elementary School students, May 6, about her journey to a medal, and her experiences along the way. 

Having been visiting Strathmore to be a part of the Hype for Hospice event, May 4, Sevick was requested by Brentwood staff to return to the school to present. 

“Lynn Anderson, she was one of my teachers back in the day, reached out to see if I would come into Brentwood. I came to Brentwood after the Tokyo Olympics and talked to a few of the kids. They really loved it, and I loved being here and it is always great to come back,” she said. “It is so amazing to be able to connect with people from Strathmore with it being my hometown and especially being at Brentwood because it brings back so many memories.”

Sevick explained she hoped the takeaway from her talk for the students was to focus on long-term goals and to be their best selves every day.

“It is not about being perfect, but it is about being your best and trying your hardest, which is kind of my mode or my mentality as an athlete,” she said. “I am not always perfect, and I am not always the best, but I always know that I have tried my hardest and that I have put in a lot of effort and done the hard work.”

Katie Coulter, a teacher with Brentwood Elementary, emphasized the importance and impact a speaker such as Sevick returning to the school may have for the students. 

She said it makes for a uniquely powerful opportunity for the kids to see a real person having done something extraordinary who was at one point in the exact same space and position as they are today. 

“Seeing that there are so many opportunities for them and that the world is huge and wide open – I think it is just a great opportunity for them to really make that connection,” said Coulter. “I think just seeing this in somebody who used to be at Brentwood School just makes it that much more real for them … I think they really got a lot out of it; they had really great questions. I was really impressed with some of their questions which were really thoughtful.”

She added, as the school approaches the end of the educational year, ongoing discussions with the students revolve around excellence, which tied in well with Sevick’s presentation. 

Brentwood occasionally brings in alumni to speak to students, as several have remained within the local community following their education. This opportunity, though celebrated whenever possible, does not happen every year.