The Bryant family had another year of successes and adventures in 2016. As usual, most of our news revolves around the boys.
Ben, now in his senior year in high school, is busily applying for colleges and scholarships. He completed last winter’s wrestling season undefeated and decided to explore other sports this year. So far, he has founded the high school’s Ultimate Frisbee team and is considering lacrosse or track for the spring. His marching band season ended a few weeks ago but he will play sousaphone a couple more times for parades and tuba for concerts. He’s also playing baritone (like a small tuba) with the school orchestra. This fall, he participated in the county’s Science Bowl (he built two mouse trap-powered cars and also competed on the quiz and trebuchet teams).
Scouting continues to occupy a lot of Ben’s attention. He backpacked for 10 days at Philmont Scout Ranch in NM for the second time over the summer and has become more involved with Venturing (a co-ed group for older scouts). He is currently serving as the elected President of Venturing Crew 127. His work running several National Youth Leadership Training camps and other service to scouting resulted in his being recognized with the Order of the Arrow’s Vigil Honor. He is also about to receive his 2nd Silver Palm as an Eagle Scout. Between all this and time with girlfriend Kelly, Ben manages to do very well in school.
Dave and Judy find it hard to believe that Sam is now 20. We were pleased to see his interest in Masonry when he petitioned for membership in the lodge in Lancaster, PA. Dave flew up to Pennsylvania in January to be present when Sam was raised as a Master Mason. Sam’s participation in the Franklin and Marshall men’s Ultimate Frisbee team had a bit of a setback when he was felled by pneumonia just before spring break. Over the course of spring semester, Sam decided that, as much as he liked F&M and had developed great friendships, it was too intolerant of varying viewpoints. We discussed his dilemma, and he decided the time was right to transfer to the University of South Florida to continue studying political science for his junior and senior years. He is living in a dorm-style apartment near campus and has already joined the USF men’s Ultimate Frisbee team and the Judo Club. Having dedicated himself to healthier eating and fitness, Sam is strong and in great shape.
Sadly, over the summer we had to say goodbye to our lizard Saphira. Because we adopted her nearly 10 years ago, we don’t know how old she was. Luckily, Ranger lifts our spirits daily with his friendly personality and general antics. He relishes the attention and treats he receives from a school crossing guard and two little girls on his morning walk, gets distracted by blowing leaves, loves afternoon frolics in the dog park where he gets to chase and be chased, and looks forward to occasional trips to the dog beach. But his absolute favorite activity is rolling in any mud puddle he finds. We have come to appreciate our tile floors even more for the easy clean-ups they afford. What we did not appreciate was the emergency surgery Ranger needed after a sock he ate became lodged in his intestine.
Relative to all this excitement, Judy and Dave’s lives are pretty predictable. Judy is in her 36th year teaching in the Psychology Department at USF and is now the senior faculty member in terms of longevity. This year she stepped down from many years of departmental administration. Once Ben graduates, she will probably miss her involvement with the high school, especially the Band Boosters. Dave continues to train police officers (active and retired) on firearms and to conduct polygraph exams for a variety of clients. Recent cases of note included clearing an accused drug trafficker and catching a child molester attempting to cheat, which will result in him going to prison for the next 5 years. Dave is active with the local Sons of the American Revolution and still serves as a Boy Scout Unit Commissioner and on the District Eagle Board of Review.
Given everyone’s busy lives, we hardly had time for family trips this year. Amazingly, we all had the same spring break week so we travelled to Arizona. We enjoyed visits with Eva, Ruth, and David Vichules. Sam and Ben took high performance driver training at the Bondurant Racing School. (They trained with Challengers, Sam’s dream car which he got for his birthday.) From there we enjoyed the cool weather, great views, and a bit of hiking in the Grand Canyon. In July, we took an RV trip up to New York to see Dave’s mom before investigating West Point and Yale as potential colleges for Ben.
We wish you all the best for the holidays and coming year and look forward to hearing from you.