Petersen Taking Her Talents To College

Senior Spotlight

Bella Petersen, the soundtrack to senior year includes Lose Yourself by Eminem. It is her go-to song, and the Culbertson volleyball team plays it during warm-ups before taking the court.

Volleyball is one part of a busy final year for Petersen, 17, who has attended school in Culbertson for all 13 years of her education. She has played both volleyball and softball for seven years, competed in track for six, played basketball for five and is in her second year of cross country.

Along the way, Petersen has earned opportunities to compete at the state level. She qualified for state track as a freshman and went to state cross country last year. As a sophomore, she received the Manning Award in track.

Petersen’s interests have also given her plenty to do away from the playing fields. She is involved in FFA and has gone to state for mechanics in each of the past three years. She participates in Explore America and yearbook, plays saxophone in the school band and has performed solos in previous years.

Petersen’s school days have their quieter moments, too. History is her favorite class, and Dave Solem is the teacher she names as her favorite.

Between classes, she can often be found in the library or outside practicing cornhole. And when it comes to school lunch, she knows what she would bring back for one last meal: the original pizza, preferably with her favorite snack, Cool Ranch Doritos, on the side.

After graduation, Petersen hopes to continue playing softball in college while majoring in elementary education. For the freshmen just beginning their time at Culbertson, she offers advice shaped by years of balancing school and activities: “Get your assignments in on time.”