Meet Brittany Villarreal

By Joan Frances –

Needville Independent School District in Fort Bend County has the goal “to become an exemplary school district in which every child achieves to his or her maximum ability through rigorous, engaging curriculum and systems of support that cultivate the potential and promote the well-being of every individual child.” Needville’s elementary, middle, junior high and high schools work tirelessly for students to achieve their goals by becoming part of an industrious society. One senior who has accomplished her goals and is advancing toward an ambitious future is Brittany Villarreal.

Brittany has been engaged in playing sports all four years of her high school career. She is a valuable asset to the varsity basketball team as a post and guard. The team’s winning season is a sweet end to her favorite sport. When asked what it is about basketball she enjoys, Brittany replied, “I love the fact that it is such a physically challenging sport. It takes mental concentration and discipline. It also requires teamwork and drive to be the best. Coach Keely Cox motivates us to be better at what we do at every game. My best friends are my teammates, which makes playing the game even more enjoyable.” Brittany also ran track her first three years of high school and played volleyball as a freshman.

Academics are very important to Brittany. She realized early on that in order to be successful in society, studying and learning about life through academics helps determine the direction for her future. Brittany’s favorite teacher is Shari Zbranek, her junior year U.S. History instructor. “Mrs. Zbranek was so helpful to me. She interacted with the students and made history interesting to the whole class. She was a hands-on teacher and was always available to give extra help to any student. She made me look forward to going to class.”

Brittany feels the most important part of her life is her family. When she is not studying or playing basketball, she is taking care of her grandfather. One value Brittany treasures is respect. Brittany said, “Respecting elders and listening to what they have to say has been so beneficial in guiding me to discover who I am and what I want to do in life. I think people must work hard to accomplish goals, the big ones and the small ones. Helping one another is key to contentment and happiness.”

Brittany is very independent and responsible. She works at Simple Simon’s Pizza and purchased her car without her parents’ assistance. Brittany is self-motivated and sincere, respected by her peers and teachers. She commits 100 percent of her exuberance to the things she cares about the most.

One evening as Brittany watched a documentary chronicling a homicide, she noticed that the detective in the story worked diligently until the murderer was apprehended. When the family was notified, they were so thankful to the detective. That scene touched Brittany. She appreciated how hard this man worked to bring closure to the grieving family. The detective’s work has inspired her to pursue a job as a public servant for the benefit of the community. Brittany wants to help people by training to be a police officer and then a homicide detective.

Brittany will attend Wharton County Junior College for Law Enforcement and then transfer to Sam Houston State University to major in Criminology and Forensic Science. Congratulations Brittany on your spirit and passion, and good luck as you follow your dreams.