Cheney graduate lends a helping hand, speaks on suicide prevention

Any Cheney High School student who needs encouragement from a peer doesn’t have to look far for a pick-me-up. Senior Bradlee Powell knows what it’s like to hit rock bottom and recognizes the signs.

“I’ve struggled a lot in the past with family issues and lack of motivation,” he said, “and I want to be available to others who find themselves in a similar situation.

“For a long time, I was uncomfortable revealing who I really was, but with the encouragement of my extended family and my friends, I realized that I can be myself, have fun and be successful. And my teachers helped me to realize what I want to do, which is to help others for the rest of my life.”

Powell’s counselor, Lisa Staub, has only known him since September, but he has made a huge impression on her, for all the right reasons.

“When Bradlee sees someone in need, he’s one of the first to help,” she said. “His inner strength is amazing, and when things don’t go the way he’d hoped, you’ll never see him feeling sorry for himself.

“The neat thing about his positive attitude is that he does it all pretty quietly. He doesn’t advertise his versatility, but he’s got an inner passion for making a difference in everyone’s life every day.”

One of his particular interests is prevention of teen suicide, and to that end he delivered a speech on the effects of bullying to all 1,200 Cheney students earlier this year. It was a life-changing experience, he said, and the positive feedback he got from fellow students validated his view that personal connection is the foundation of happiness and success.

It wasn’t always that way for him. Powell had good grades, he says, but wasn’t really motivated to achieve anything beyond that. He attended Cheney High School for half of his freshman year, moved to Wallace, Idaho, for 10th grade and part of 11th, and has been at Cheney again since then.

Powell has lived with an aunt and uncle for almost a year, and he credits his large family for helping him to turn his life around.

“Without them,” he said, “my life wouldn’t be the same. They’re the ones who have been here for me, and I wouldn’t be who I am without them.”

He plans to attend Eastern Washington University, where he’ll major in business education. He also will try out for the cheer squad, and his goals for life beyond high school are very specific: obtain a teaching certificate, return to Cheney High and become cheer coach and Future Business Leaders of America adviser there.

“There was a time when I felt that it wasn’t possible for me to be happy in my life,” he said. “But now I recognize that I was put here to help people. I want to write a book, become an inspirational speaker. I want to take risks. If the thought of doing something new makes me uncomfortable, then I know I need to try it.”