brooke seymour
- Katie Hagen
- Jun 23, 2023
- 3 min read

When I first met Brooke Seymour in sixth grade, she was convinced that I didn’t like her. All these years later, I still find myself periodically disputing this comically incorrect assumption.
However, I think that our seven years of friendship and counting speaks for itself.
When I think about our long-lasting bond, my mind instantly goes back to last year when Brooke introduced me to a packed gymnasium at graduation. I can still remember her proudly smiling back at me on the podium moments before I presented my speech to culminate the end of an era.
This moment in time encapsulates what our friendship was all about from the beginning: unwavering support and loyalty.

Even getting to work alongside her on our high school’s newspaper publication, Brooke was my right hand woman when it came to producing quality work.

I’ve always respected her drive when it came to what she produced—even down to her pristine, colorful math notes (whereas my left-handed scrawl never failed to smear graphite all over mine).
So during our conversation, when she wittilty responded to the prompt “Brooke Seymour is ___'' with “really cool,” we shared a laugh that managed to transport me back to the genuine roots of our pure middle school friendship.
Over the years, I have been able to see Brooke grow into herself. But the independence and self-confidence that she carries with her today hasn’t always existed in the way it does now.
Growing up, her young mind was often wracked with anxious thoughts, and as she matured from a somewhat downcast state, she was able to better process her parents’ divorce that occurred when she was around 4 years old.
Although a life-altering circumstance such as this one would prove to be extremely difficult for anyone, Brooke’s positive outlook and ability to adapt today is undeniable.
“[Over time] I’ve definitely become less anxious,” she said. “I was a really anxious kid. I had a lot of attachment to my parents, and I didn’t like hanging out with my friends a lot or going places without my parents.”
Although once terrified to be away from her family for any period of time, Brooke’s growth was especially evident years later when she moved away to attend Hope College in pursuit of a degree in psychology.
Through one of her classes last semester, Brooke volunteered at Hope Discovery ABA Services in Holland, Michigan. This center cares for autistic children, and aids them in learning social cues, sounds, practicing social interaction, and teaches them how to follow directions in a playful environment.
When reflecting on her first semester of college, this opportunity is one that stands out to her.
“This one kid was so good at remembering names,” she recalled. “He was like ‘Hi Brooke!’ when I would get there. There was also one kid who didn’t talk much, but if he wanted me to go play with him he would grab my arm and walk me over to what he was playing with and would slap the chair to tell me to sit down. I loved it when they wanted me to play with them.”
Spending time at the center was also a way for Brooke to decompress from a rigorous academic schedule, as well as build relationships with the behavior technicians. Now, Brooke’s summer job consists of her working as a behavior technician herself at a local center.
Long term, Brooke would love to pursue a career in the clinical psychology field. For years, she has found the study of mental disorders fascinating, and it was her junior year of high school that exposed her to her first psychology class.
The wonder and intrigue that she discovered in that course never left her.
Seeing college as a fresh start, Brooke was ready to uncover new possibilities and encounter new friendships. Her freshman year provided this opportunity when she joined a sorority on campus, evening acquiring the sophomore representative role for the upcoming fall semester.
As this chapter continues to unfold, she has been most proud of her transition to a new stage of life. When there once was a time when independence daunted her, it is now a welcomed adjustment—one that highlights the growth she’s embraced as she continues down the path of an exciting future.


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