Getting Involved

Bryanna Hecksel takes the term “overachiever” to a whole new level.

Hecksel, a senior at Central Michigan University, is from a small town near Grand Rapids called Coopersville. It was there at Coopersville High School where her interest in being involved began.

“I was never really involved in sports and I’m the type of person who likes to stay pretty busy,” said Hecksel. “I don’t do well just sitting around twiddling my thumbs.”

In high school, Hecksel was part of the Spanish Honor Society, a Kountry Cattle Club 4-H volunteer and leader, a Kid’s Hope USA Mentor for at-risk elementary students, and held a part-time job at Delphi, all while maintaining a 4.0 G.P.A and graduating in the top 10 of her class.

“I don’t think it makes me any more special than the next person,” Hecksel explains. “I guess it is just a matter of motivation and the ability to multi-task.”

Hecksel went on to attend CMU in hopes of graduating with a degree in Accounting and in Spanish. Her involvement didn’t stop when she came to college either. In addition to maintaining her 3.87 GPA for the multiple scholarships under her belt, she is a teacher assistant and office assistant for Spanish, she’s part of the Beta Gamma Sigma International Honor Society and the National Society of Collegiate Scholars, an active volunteer at the local animal shelter and in her 4-H club, and completed a semester abroad in Argentina.

“It sounds like a lot, but really it’s just a matter of time management. I set aside certain parts of my day for the things that I need to get done and just do what I can,” says Hecksel. “I think it’s a great way to prepare for the real world and show future employers what I am capable of.”