Cassuandra Braaten, who graduated from Bullard High School in 2012, has recently been honored as the Female Scholar Athlete of the Year at Southeastern Oklahoma State University and was also a finalist for the Great American Conference’s (GAC) Female Scholar Athlete of the Year award. “I am truly thrilled to have received SEOSU’s Female Scholar […]
Cassuandra Braaten, who graduated from Bullard High School in 2012, has recently been honored as the Female Scholar Athlete of the Year at Southeastern Oklahoma State University and was also a finalist for the Great American Conference’s (GAC) Female Scholar Athlete of the Year award.
“I am truly thrilled to have received SEOSU’s Female Scholar Athlete of the Year recognition,” Braaten shared. “Being named a finalist for the GAC award is an incredible honor as well. It feels great to see my dedication, both academically and athletically, come to fruition. This entire experience is simply wonderful.”
In her junior year, Braaten has been competing in tennis at SEOSU in Durant, Oklahoma, for two years. She was put forward for both accolades by her tennis coach, Shawn Hamil. In his recommendation letter for her GAC nomination, Hamil noted that Braaten “exemplifies the qualities sought after in a student-athlete.”
On the tennis court, Braaten has achieved nine individual wins, two doubles victories, secured a third place spot in the GAC standings, and progressed to the semifinals of the tournament.
Academically, Braaten is equally committed. Pursuing a major in biology with a minor in chemistry, she has made the President’s Honor Roll three times out of four semesters, maintaining a perfect 4.0 GPA. Additionally, she has been included in the Athletic Director’s Honor Roll and has received both a Presidential Partner’s Scholarship and a departmental scholarship for Biology and Chemistry.
Beyond her studies and athletics, Braaten is heavily involved in campus activities at SEOSU. She is an engaged member of the student athlete advisory committee, the Pre-Med Club, the leadership team for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and the American Chemical Society. She also dedicates her time to the Big Sister/Little Sister program, organized a bone marrow registration drive on campus, and has accrued over 700 hours of community service. During the summer, she contributes her efforts at Camp John Marc, a summer camp designed for children with special medical or accessibility requirements, located in Meridian.
Next semester, Braaten will be taking time off from her studies to volunteer at a medical clinic in León, Nicaragua. During her time at the clinic, she will support doctors with monitoring vital signs, managing pharmacy tasks, and assisting with basic procedures.
“I am extremely eager about my upcoming work in Nicaragua next semester,” Braaten expressed. “My goal is to help create pathways for those I assist to learn more about Jesus.”
Following her graduation, Braaten aspires to attend medical school out of state with the intention of specializing in pediatrics.
The GAC was officially established on March 9, 2011, becoming the 23rd athletic conference within the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division II. Institutions within the GAC include the University of Arkansas at Monticello, Arkansas Tech University, East Central University, Harding University, Henderson State University, Ouachita Baptist University, Southeastern Oklahoma State University, Southern Arkansas University, Southwestern Oklahoma State University, Northwestern Oklahoma State University, and Southern Nazarene University. Additional details regarding the GAC can be found at .
