By By SPIROS GALLOS / Niles Daily Star
NILES - The smell of sweaty wrestling mats and the humidity in the air hits visitors like a wall when they walk into the Niles High School wrestling room.
Young grapplers practice their shoots and holds, getting ready for the coming wrestling season. In the thick of it all is senior Brittany Smith.
But 18-year-old Smith isn't wrestling, she's timing practice matches, mopping the wrestling mats, and making sure the team runs smoothly while coach Bob Galvin focuses on helping the wrestlers improve their technique.
Smith is the wrestling team's manager, a position she's been at since her freshman year. Smith first managed the wrestling team at Ring Lardner Middle School in the 8th grade and continued managing at the high school.
When asked why she has stuck with the team as manager, Smith replied she simply enjoys the job.
So how does Smith think the wrestling team will fare in the upcoming season?
Smith seems to have a hand in most events that happen at the school, whether it be the student council-sponsored blood drive, playing sports, or participating in the National Honors Society.
During the fall sports season, Smith was an announcer at boys' varsity soccer home games. Announcing at the games was no problem for Smith, who has been playing soccer since she was in kindergarten.
Smith's mother, Marsie, who is the vice president of the school's athletic boosters, volunteered her for the job when the team needed an announcer.
Smith plans on playing varsity soccer in the spring, which will be her second year on the varsity squad.
Although she likes playing soccer, Smith found it difficult to say why she enjoys playing.
While she's involved in numerous extra-curricular activities, Smith is no slouch in the classroom either.
Smith has maintained a 3.5 grade point average throughout her high school career while attending the Berrien County Math and Science Center at Andrews University.
Smith has been attending the center since her freshman year, taking advanced math and science classes in an effort to prepare herself for college.
Math and science are not her favorites subjects though, Smith said. Her real passion lies in her theater and English classes.
In the past, Smith has written short stories which she entered in the Arts and Sciences Expo through the Berrien County Intermediate School District.
Smith said she enjoys writing because it provides her with an outlet for her imagination.
Although she hasn't had the opportunity to try out for any plays, since Niles High School does not put any on during the year, Smith said if given the chance, she would like to try out for one.
Jerry Holtgren, Smith's theatre teacher for the past two years, has been impressed with her efforts in theatre class.
As for the future, Smith is unsure of what she wants to do with her life.
Smith has narrowed her choices for higher education down to Loyola University of Chicago and the University of Notre Dame. If she gets accepted to both, Smith has said she doesn't know which one she will attend.
Smith is very active in helping others, since she first gave blood at the Student Council's spring blood drive last year, Smith has donated blood three times.
Smith plans to give blood regularly because she feels it will allow her to help people who are in need.