Dayton's Finest Student-Athletes In Their Own Words

As the school year is officially behind us and the 2011 graduating class heads off into the real world, let’s take a look at what is on the horizon for some of JDHS’s finest student-athletes in their own words.   

This week’s installment features softball outfielder Kendall Bohannon: 

What’s it like now that you’re officially done being a JDHS Bulldog?

I'm partly sad that it's over but it's definitely bringing on bigger and better things for me in the next few years.

What was your best memory, team-wise, from your senior season?
Memories? Oh, I don't have many! I was sick with mono for I'd say 80 percent of the season. But I did come around for many games to cheer on the girls. Towards the end of the season I was so actively participating in school programs, like "Every 15 Minutes" that the season was pretty much [prematurely] over for me.  

What was your best personal memory or achievement during you senior season?
For the time I was there and playing, I was definitely happy with the way I was hitting. Throughout this whole senior year [fall season included] I was miraculously really getting better on my hitting and it showed through to spring. I was also really happy about being a senior on the team, and even though not captain, every senior is a leader to the younger girls -- I liked being there for them.   

What will you miss most about donning the blue and orange?
I loved the new jerseys this season!!! But I won't be missing the blue so much because I'll still have that next year at Monmouth University! Just not the orange anymore, though. But I know whenever I see orange and blue I'll always think back to Dayton!  

Who was the most influential person in your life, on or off the playing field?  
My family: my sister, brother, mom and dad. When I was sick, they didn't force me into anything I could or could not do. Whatever I truly wanted through softball or school, or college, or even my desire to pursue a career in criminal justice, they were always behind me. If I had a problem in school or at a sport, they would always talk to me. I was never forced into anything I didn't feel right doing. If I wanted to play, they let me play, if I felt I couldn't, they were alright with that. They really kept my interests in mind. And of course, they supported me at my games when I was playing!   

What do you have planned for the summer?
I'm going to be working all summer to save up money for school next year... I work at Gian Marco Trattoria in Millburn, so if anyone wants to come by so I can serve them and make good tips!

If you’re going to college, will you still play your respective sport or is this it for you athletically?
I won't be playing softball for the school next year but I will be playing it for intramurals. I really like to play more for fun than for competition now, so intramurals seems the best for me.   

If you are college-bound, what will you plan to study in college? If not college-bound what are your plans in the workforce.  
I'm going to be studying Criminal Justice at Monmouth University.

Where do you see yourself in five years?
In five years, I see myself just graduating from the five-year Criminal Justice program at Monmouth and hopefully beginning a career in law enforcement to one day help me reach the FBI or Homeland Security. J