Softball and 4H were the two big loves of high school life for Hugo graduate Chanda Barnett. Softball was the only sport she played, and she was all in and a valuable asset according to her coach Benita Gilmore.

“She was the heart of our team,” said Gilmore. “She was a go-getter and could play multiple positions. She played shortstop and third base for us and hit .450 during the fast pitch season.”

Chanda learned a lot from her dad who played high school baseball and since she was the only one of their kids that had an interest, she got a lot of his attention and instruction. Being a good senior leader was another thing that made her a valuable component of the softball team this past season.

“I think a good leader is someone who is willing to listen and then instruct others in a way that makes sense to them. So I would listen to the other girls and if the way I learned something didn’t make sense to them, I’d find a way to explain it so they would understand. I also think that’s a sign of good character when you’re willing to take the time to help get everyone get on the same page.”

As mentioned, Chanda was also very active in FFA at Hugo.

“I was in FFA for all four years of high school and was an officer every year. I showed goats and lambs for three years,” said Barnett who was also in student council, National Honor Society and did a lot of volunteer work around the school.

Her love for animals as demonstrated by her FFA work may help explain her future plans.

“I’m going to attend Northwestern Oklahoma State College next fall and study biology and then go to OSU to become a veterinarian. I’d like to be remembered as someone who put my all into the team because I gave everything I had to the Hugo softball program.”

 Softball coach Gilmore says that even without softball, she thinks the future is bright for Chanda Barnett.

“She’s a person that will go places in the future.”