Lauren Powell is a senior at Enid High School and plays setter and outsider hitter for the Pacer volleyball team. Powell has been playing volleyball since elementary school and she first began at Oakwood Christian Church where she was able to establish many lifelong relationships that continue to this day.

“Volleyball started as something fun that my friends were doing and slowly grew into a very large part of my life,” Powell said. “The girls that I started playing with at Oakwood grew up with me and became my lifelong teammates.”

Powell appreciates the relationships that volleyball has allowed her to form and the bonds she has been able to build through the game. On the court Powell likes to compete and as a senior has learned many valuable characteristics that she has tried to demonstrate to her underclassmen.

“I believe that the qualities that make someone a good leader are patience, understanding and confidence. If players feel like they can rely on you and trust in you as a teammate they are all the more willing to follow your example,” Powell said. “Your ability to display confidence in the way that you play and confidence in your teammates makes or breaks a team.”

One person that Powell appreciates is fellow Pacer teammate Lainey Morse.

“She is the perfect example of knowing how to have a good time and love people around her and being able to stay focused on her goals for volleyball,” Powell said. “Unfortunately she is out for the rest of the season. But the way she lives her life and shows kindness to people regardless of how she is treated is something that I admire about her a lot. Before I make a lot of my actions I think about how Lainey would react to it.”

As Powell is finishing up her senior year she has already begun planning for life after high school.

“My main goal is to graduate with honors and start my path toward OSU,” Powell said. “I’ve been accepted into the school and cannot wait for what college brings and the new opportunities that come with it.”

Powell will be starting an internship after the volleyball season ends to help prepare her for the next step in her education.

“As of right now I would like to become a veterinarian after college. I’m not sure where I will end up, I could always end up changing my mind. That is why I am excited for an internship through EHS WORKS. This class will allow me to have a potential internship wherever I choose, and be able to learn more about the career path I desire. As of now it’s all in God‘s hands and I’m just going wherever I feel led.”

However, before the season ends Powell has one night she is looking forward to.

“I’m obviously very excited for senior night. I think it’s going to be a very emotional night because of how much I love the girls,” Powell said. “It’s something that I’ve been looking forward to for a while. It’s a sad night but I think it will be very sweet.”