|
|
|
Articles
|
Jenna: A Gift to You from Those who Care the Most!!!!As great a swimmer as she is in the pool, Jenna Street is even a better person out of the water. Her citizenship and her faith in God should be emulated and used as an example by all of us. I feel honored to have been a part of Jenna's life these past nine years and I wish her much success in her future endeavors. Coach John Connor Bristol, TN My very best friend in the world is Jenna Street, better known by what we call each other-Werdon. Our friendship started when we were four and has grown stronger year after year. Our friendship is one of of a kind because of many things. I love being with Jenna because we can laugh and laugh and laugh. No one else would understand why we were laughing but we would. Our favorite T.V. show is Andy Griffith, and we love talking about it. We tell each other everything and I can trust Jenna with anything. I am at my happiest when I am with Jenna. She used to live down the street from me, but now she's a couple of states away. I cherish every minute I am with her and every second we talk on the phone. I remember learning to swim with her at Milligan College, when we hadn't even started Kindergarten. I remember the first day of Kindergarten when we walked to school together and the lemonade stands we had each summer. I know that Jenna is someone who I'll still be this close with twenty years from now. I can't imagine life without her. I have had to learn to share her with the rest of the world. Jenna Street has more strength, determination, and love for swimming than anyone who's swam has ever had. I am so proud of her and I know she will do wonderful things with swimming and her life. I love her! ***** Friendship brings people close no matter how great the distance between them. Just for Werdon---"How you aim to drive? FAST!" Lindsay Moore Best Friend Johnson City , TN
Because I have moved around a lot, I haven't ever really had a best friend
for more than one year. So, Once I moved here, and I never had that "one
best friend," I thought that high school just wasn't my time to have one.
Until one day, I was in the bathroom with a bunch of my close friends, and Jenna
and I met. In the ladies room of all places!!! She and I became joined at the
hip from then on out, and she has definitely made my high school experience more
meaningful by being a part of it. I can honestly say that she is one of the best
and brightest people I have ever met, or ever will meet for that matter. She has
it all: intelligence, spirituality, family, athleticism. She is the best. I am
not the only one who admires her, though. When she became my best friend, my
whole group of friends got to know her as well, and we all love her. I think I
can speak on behalf of us all when I say that Jenna is absolutely the most
dedicated and honest person we know. Not only is she a friend, she is an
inspiration to everyone she meets. I am truly a better person for knowing her,
and I am forever thankful to God for introducing us. We all wish her the very
best in her Olympic pursuits. . . People are like stained glass windows: They sparkle and shine When the sun is out, But when darkness sets in, Their true beauty is revealed only if there is a light within. ******ELIZABETH KUBLER-ROSS****** I picked this quote for Jens because she shines on the outside as well as the inside. She carries with her an inner glow that can brighten anyone's day. She is a true role model and conducts herself as a lady where ever she goes. BUT WHEN IT COMES TO THE WATER.................... She takes no prisoners!!! Her power and drive to succeed are unbelievable! Her achievements show her discipline and determination to live her life to the fullest as an athlete and a student. She loves everyone and can see good in any bad, people respect her and can see her love for swimming and her love for people and how she lives her life through the eyes of the Lord. I love you Jens, Marls Marla Mills Jenna's cousin Elizabethon, TN This young lady is a loving daughter, friend, and a favorite cousin to many
many people. To me, well, she's is every good quality described in a person.
Growing up with two older sisters, I never got the chance to be a "big
sis" except with one little girl and that was Jens. Her and I have been
close since the day we were introduced as 1st cousins. From then on we have
shared and made memory after memory. She is the most precious person in my life
and we have a connection that no one can break. Although we are great enemies
now, Vols against Gators, she is a true friend to me. To all of her old and new
friends down there in the swamp, take good care of her, keep her safe and show
her love everyday because Jens is the kind of person who can show all of you
what a true friend is supposed to be. God has given her an amazing talent which
is leading her to the top. Go Jens!!! I'm so proud of you baby girl! Having you
for a friend, cousin, and a "lil sis" is a blessing from God.
Jenna is not only a church member, but also a good friend. She is a mature Christian, a very skilled athlete, a caring person, and a creative writer. I really enjoy my relationship with her, and her parents. Though Jenna and her mother have been in Florida for quite some time, it has been a joy to stay in touch with them by e-mail and written correspondence. I really admire this whole family as they have willingly made significant sacrifices in order for Jenna to follow God's plan for her life. That is a tremendous testimony to me and to all who know about them. As their church family, we are delighted to be able to pray for them, and to fellowship with them whenever they can be in Johnson City. I am very confident that God will continue to be glorified in Jenna's life and witness, and in the life of her parents as well. I am very proud of Jenna, and wish for her the very best of God's blessings in the years to come. Ron Murray Pastor at Central Baptist Church Johnson City, TN I have known Jenna since she first began swimming. She was a tiny little girl with a heart bigger than she was, even then. For awhile, it was just a tremendous accomplishment for her to make it from one end of the pool to the other without stopping to use her inhaler. Her mom and dad were always there to bug her until she caught her breath and there to cheer her on when she was ready to give it a try again. Jenna had a positive, winning attitude about conquering her asthma, about conquering the length of the pool, and very soon after that, about becoming a world class swimmer. I was her coach before all the record-breaking swims, but I wouldn't trade my spot in Jenna's life for all the money in the world. I got to help her love the water, and to show her the best part about sports is cheering your teammates on. I got to hug her and give her the "high fives" whether she finished the length of the pool or not, because the hugs were all about effort rather than winning. I got to hear a little six year old say "yes ma'am" and "thank you" no matter whether I was handing out third place or first place ribbons.....and for every instruction or bit of praise I gave her. When Jenna began winning races, I got to see her jump out of the pool to cheer her fellow swimmers on, still out of breath, but just so excited for her teammates still swimming that there was no time to rest. In Jenna's parents, I got to know two people who taught their child by example, who showed their child that being a good person is what's most important. They would think Jenna hung the moon whether she was an artist, a dancer, a pianist, a poet, a scholar, or a swimmer....or just Jenna! Interestingly enough, she is talented in all the areas I just mentioned. I'm so proud of Jenna, so proud that I was even a small part of her life, and so proud of the opportunity to know all the Streets. You get the feeling from being around them that they are what a family is meant to be, what God intended. I have never stopped cheering Jenna on, as a matter of fact, I keep a tattered roster of swimmers from my coaching days, and every now and again I pull it out to smile at the memories and to say a little prayer for each of my swimmers, wherever they may be. And of course I say a prayer for Jenna and her parents, who thought enough of me to keep in touch and to share their sweet daughter's life with me through the years. Jenna will continue to be a success, mostly because of the love in her heart and because of two wonderful parents who love her. Swimming and world records are just icing on the cake. All my love and hugs and support will always be with her, wherever she is. I hope she will always remember that. Pam Houston Burns Jenna's first swimming coach Charlotte, NC
|
