For Macie Brandon of Cornerstone Christian Academy, selflessness is not just a word, but a lifestyle. The senior has excelled in her athletic endeavors, earning herself captain of the volleyball team, which is the sport she is the most passionate about.

Sports have been an integral part of Brandon’s life since she was in kindergarten, a passion that was introduced to her by her father.

As much as she loved talking about her passion for volleyball and athletics in general, she became much more introspective when talking about another aspect of her life. Her want to help.

Macie has been apart of her school’s basketball team for years now, but not as a player. Instead, she wanted to be a manager to assist the coaches and take a leadership position that would put others before herself.

However, for Macie, this is just the tip of the iceberg. The senior finds herself incredibly involved in her academics as well, of which she has also dominated. Macie finds herself on the A honor roll, is the Vice President of National Honor Society, is the President of Student Council, and helps plan events around her school.

“Leadership positions have taught me a lot about being selfless and putting others before myself,” Macie said.

Her service to those around her does not end when the school bell rings. In fact, that may be when she gets to invoke the most passion for helping others. Macie helps in her towns children’s advocacy center; she helps the organization with outreach events, as well as volunteers at a homeless ministry.

For Macie, her passion for selflessness will not end with high school. The senior has a bright future ahead of her, wanting to carve her path in law, doing family or child advocacy law. Wherever the senior goes to college, her passion for selflessness will surely be infectious.

For senior Case Kuykendall of Llano High School, sports mean more. Not only for the competitive nature, but also the lessons they teach.

Kuykendall finds himself playing whatever sport he can, a passion his father shared with him from an early age. Though Kuykendall can be seen competing in a multitude of different events, it is football that is his passion.

As a sophomore he earned first team all-district honors, and second-team in basketball. While he was hurt last year and couldn’t complete a full season, he still earned second team all-district in football. This year he has started off hot again earning a nomination for Dave Campbell’s Player of the Week!

Kuykendall isn’t just a standout on the field, he has been on the Honor Roll throughout high school and has even recently earned a recommendation from Congressman Mike Conaway to attend both the Air Force and Naval Academies.

Talking to the young man, something stood out. As Kuykendall kept talking about the accomplishments he had earned as a player and his team had earned this year, the word we seemed to be the constant. To Kuykendall, these awards were indicative of something greater than himself, it was an indication of his team.

Kuykendall understands the importance of sports; not for the lessons of tenacity, but for the lessons of leadership and togetherness. When talking about service to the community, Kuykendall again stuck with “We” as his choice word. Saying how the team had come together to help the community after a major flood, or during the pandemic to help neighbors who were not able to get their own groceries.

As only a senior in high school, it is apparent that Kuykendall sees things differently, and there is no doubt that big things are ahead for him.