Chandler High School seniors Leah Brannon, Jessica Brannon and Annie Brannon were named student members of the Rotary Club for November 2021. They are the triplet daughters of Dale and Deborah Brannon and have one older sister.
In an effort to prepare herself for life after high school, Leah has honed her basic self-reliance skills. She learned to build and maintain a bank savings account and took advanced academic and college courses in addition to her regular classes.
Leah’s athletic activities include cross-country, track, basketball, archery, softball and shot gunning. She was also involved in Student Council, Business Professionals of America, Positive Peers and Fellowship of Christian Athletes. She is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and an accomplished pianist.
She was selected to serve on the BancFirst Student Board of Directors and participated in the CHS Gifted and Talented Program.
While contemplating the ideal of Service Above Self, Leah says she came to the conclusion that it should be a mindset that shows itself in one’s way of living everyday not just the occasional act of service. Leah helped clear tree limbs for an individual and spent hours doing yard work in the restoration of the Douglas gym, but feels the simple acts of service done in her home develop the habit of selflessness.
Things such as helping her mother in the kitchen rather than sleeping in for 20 more minutes or helping her sisters with homework before completing her own. Rather than spending time with friends, helping her dad with cattle or stacking hay bales for a family friend also contributed to a mentality of Service Above Self, which she hopes influences others to acquire the same.
Following graduation, Leah plans to study engineering at Brigham Young University in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Jessica has prepared for life after high school by saving money, starting a college fund and striving for good grades. She learned skills that will help her deal with real life experiences.
She has demonstrated leadership skills while serving as freshman class president and vice president of both her junior and senior classes. She was involved in CHS Pom and track and field and was a student trainer for basketball, cross-country and football.
She was selected to serve on the Banc First Student Board of Directors and participated in the CHS Gifted and Talented Program. Jessica was also involved in Postponing Sexual Involvement, Positive Peers and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. She is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and an accomplished pianist.
Jessica realized the joy of putting service above self, following a strong ice storm that caused tree branches to break and fall all over Lincoln County. Although their own land had a mess of limbs and branches to clean up, Jessica and her mom went to the home of a “sweet elderly lady” in town to clear her yard.
Jessica and her mom were joined by her dad and sisters cutting away limbs with a chainsaw then stacking and hauling them away. With the help of the lady’s son, they worked for two days to complete the task. Jessica found her friend to be very grateful and felt the bond between them strengthen because she and her family put Service Above Self.
When she finishes high school, Jessica plans to attend BYU to pursue a career in occupational therapy.
Annie has made preparations for life after high school by building a savings account that will sustain her through college. She has had good work experiences and knows how to balance her schedule in order to maintain good grades and a healthy lifestyle.
She was selected for Rotary Youth Leadership Awards camp but was unable to attend due to COVID-19 restrictions. She served on the BancFirst Student Board of Directors and participated in the CHS Gifted and Talented Program.
Annie’s athletic involvement includes Archery, Cross Country, Track and Field, Cheer, basketball and shot gunning. She also participated in Postponing Sexual Involvement, Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Positive Peers. She is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and plays the violin.
Annie credits her church and her family for teaching her to selflessly serve. She looks to Jesus Christ as the perfect example of selfless service and unconditional love. One of her favorite illustrations of that was when 12-year-old Jesus shared his knowledge of God’s plan and His own purpose to the religious leaders.
In her own life, Annie was able to put service above self as she helped a student in the Peer Mentor program at school. Before beginning the program, she was informed that the student had some learning challenges and was offered the option to work less time with them than usual. She didn’t want the student to feel bad so agreed to the full schedule.
It was difficult at times and Annie felt overwhelmed to the point that she felt she needed to take a break for a few days. After one day, she felt guilty and thought that if it was hard for her; it must be even harder for the student. She developed a schedule and worked with the student for two years.
Although with very few common interests, Annie and the student became friends. She was proud of the accomplishments made in improving reading, writing and critical thinking skills.
Annie found that although challenging at times, putting others before self is rewarding and she will strive to follow the example that Christ set for her.
After graduation, Annie plans to study premedicine before attending medical school.