Honoring the Class of 2020 high school student-athletes: Carter-Riverside’s Kiera Grant
If you would like to be honored, please send an email to bgosset@star-telegram.com.
Senior Night: McKenna Leveling
As the outbreak of COVID-19 (coronavirus) continues to set back the UIL high school season, the Class of 2020 is in jeopardy of losing precious senior moments.
With the UIL putting the season on hold until at least May 4, which includes the conclusion of the boys basketball state tournament, the last few soccer regular season games and all of the playoffs and the rest of the softball, baseball, golf, track and tennis seasons, senior night may never come.
Following the lead of SportsCenter anchor Scott Van Pelt, it’s time honor these high school seniors.
Today’s honoree:
Kiera Grant, Fort Worth Carter-Riverside, Volleyball, Basketball, Soccer
Grant is a tri-sport athlete for the Lady Eagles and still hopes to play volleyball at the next level.
The first sport she tried out was volleyball. She also played basketball and soccer during her senior year. She’s been the goal keeper on the soccer team the past two seasons.
“I’ve worked for as long as I can remember to be the best athlete,” Grant said. “I’ve come from being the shy player in the shadows to the aggressive and competitive player I am today.”
Grant was on her way to being an all-district selection in soccer this season. She’s a two-time pick in volleyball, including last season’s district blocker of the year.
She played a key role in 2018 when the Lady Eagles finished second in district, their highest in 21 years.
Grant was going to be the only Fort Worth ISD athlete to be recognized for the Christian Athlete Award during a banquet on March 22, which was moved due to the pandemic. She also won the Clyde E. Duncan Jr. Philippians 4:13 Award
Fact: Grant’s mother died in January 2018 after a battle with Stage 4 breast cancer for more than two years.
“My goal is to continue playing volleyball at the collegiate level and make my mother proud. I am willing to continue working as hard as I can to make that dream a reality. I am a leader. I always try to keep a positive attitude and lift other people up when they’re down,” Grant said.
“I plan to be a pediatric nurse practitioner because I want to help children.”
Grant went into a deep depression following her mother’s passing. She didn’t eat, didn’t sleep, stopped talking to people and going to school, but a trip to a YoungLife camp in Georgia changed her life.
It was there she strengthen her relationship with Jesus Christ.
When she returned, she dedicated the volleyball season to her mom.
Who is your hero:
My mom because she taught me everything I know today and she is the reason that I’m motivated to succeed.
What English teacher Rebecca Davis said:
“I first met Kiera in August 2016. It was my first year coaching freshman volleyball and my life was forever changed by that group of girls. Kiera’s goal is to always bring smiles to the faces surrounding her. As a senior, Kiera always keeps her focus and stays competitive. This little girl’s strength is such an inspiration to me and all that know her. Kiera is one of the strongest people I have ever met.”
How long have you been playing all three sports:
I played volleyball for six years, soccer for three and basketball for two.
What do you love most about your sports:
I love the discipline that each sport teaches, and volleyball is my favorite because I feel the most connected to it.
Most memorable moments?
Making Tik Tok videos with my friends.
When we tied Benbrook last season.
Finishing second in district for volleyball.
Senior message: The harder you work, the greater you will feel when you achieve it.
What will you miss most about Carter-Riverside:
I will miss the warmhearted people here that made my high school experience the best. These people helped me through the hardest step of my life when I lost my mom.
What have you learned about the past few weeks:
You have to take the good with the bad. Anything can happen. Anything can change. Enjoy it while you can.
