JEFF FIELDER Editor
ALLIANCE – Payten Gibson, a senior at Alliance High School, is this week’s Nspire Today! Female Athlete of the Week, sponsored by Kristy Culek Agency, LLC-American Family Insurance. She is a three-sport standout at AHS, competing in softball (pitcher/infielder), basketball, and tennis. In softball, she’s played on the high school varsity team for four years, including three years as a starter. During the summer, she plays for the Alliance Aftershock, a traveling softball team. Also at school this fall, she plans to participate in Student Council, and she’s also on the student board for her class. Outside of school, she helps with the youth group at her church, St. John’s Lutheran Church in Alliance. Her GPA is 3.6. After she graduates from high school, she plans to attend college and major in elementary education with a minor in early childhood education. Her parents are Candice and Justin Gibson.
Q: How have things been going this summer for the Alliance Aftershock?
GIBSON: “We’re actually doing a lot better than I expected. We were very senior heavy last year, but we’re doing pretty well.”
Q: Have things been much different for the team this summer because of COVID-19?
GIBSON: “It’s a lot different. We used to travel to places like Hastings and Kearney and North Platte for some big tournaments, but we haven’t traveled much this summer. Also, we usually get going around the end of May, but this year we weren’t able to start until June.”
Q: How good do you think Alliance can be this upcoming high school softball season?
GIBSON: “Well, we’re really good at staying positive and keeping everyone up and motivated, so I’m really hoping that if we continue that, we’ll be very successful this season.”
Q: Have you set any personal goals for this upcoming softball season?
GIBSON: “Personally, I would like to hit another home run, and I would like to keep the walks for my pitching to a minimum.”
Q: You pitch, and you’re also an infielder. Do you like one position better than the other?
GIBSON: “I don’t really have a preference, but if I had to choose, my second favorite position other than pitching would probably be second base.”
Q: How important is this upcoming softball season to you?
GIBSON: “It’s really important to me, especially since I would like to go on to play somewhere in college.”
Q: You also play basketball and tennis. Which sport do you like the best?
GIBSON: “Softball because I’ve been around the game so much. I’ve grown up around it.”
Q: How are things looking for the Alliance girls basketball team this upcoming season?
GIBSON: “I’m hoping we’ll have a better season than we did last year. For me personally, last year I was out with an ankle injury and I only got to play in two games at the end of the season, so I’m hoping to bounce back well this season.”
Q: How many years have you been playing tennis?
GIBSON: “Well, I didn’t really like track too much growing up, so I thought I would try playing tennis. I’ve only been playing tennis for about four years.”
Q: How have things been going in tennis?
GIBSON: “It’s been going really good. I really like tennis.”
Q: How much are you looking forward to your senior year at Alliance High School?
GIBSON: “I’m really excited, but I’m also kind of nervous at the same time, just because of all the ‘lasts’ that are coming up. I’m really scared that some of those ‘lasts’ might not happen [due to COVID-19].”
Q: What do you think will happen this school year as it relates to COVID-19?
GIBSON: “I’m really not sure. What I’m hoping for is that we can still go to school. I think we’ll probably have to wear masks and do social distancing – or maybe not go to school every day. I’m hoping we don’t have to do any distance learning because that was kind of difficult [during the spring]. It was harder to concentrate. So, I’m hoping things will be kind of normal again.”
Q: What got you interested in pursuing an elementary education degree in college?
GIBSON: “My mom is an elementary teacher, so I’ve always been in her classroom, helping her. I like to plan little activities for the kids. I really enjoy being around little kids.”
Q: How much have you enjoyed growing up in Alliance?
GIBSON: “I really like it. It’s not too big, but it’s not too small either. It’s been a great place to grow up.”
Q: Outside of your school activities, what do you like to do for fun?
GIBSON: “I like to hang out with my friends, and I like to go hunting with my dad.”
Q: Do you work?
GIBSON: “Yes. For two years, I worked at The Big Blue Bay, and I recently hit my six-month mark of working at Scooter’s Coffee here in Alliance.”
Q: How much do you enjoy working at Scooter’s Coffee?
GIBSON: “I really like it. Some days it’s really busy, which is kind of stressful, but it’s also nice. I like all the people I work with. They’re all very nice.”
Q: What is your favorite drink at Scooter’s?
GIBSON: “I like the Peanut Butter Power, but I really like the Desert Pear and Raspberry Red Bull Infusion.”
Q: What kind of music do you enjoy listening to?
GIBSON: “I like to listen to country music.”
Q: What is your favorite TV show?
GIBSON: “Outer Banks.”
Q: Who do you think is one of the kindest students at Alliance High School?
GIBSON: “That’s a tough one because I know a lot of nice people. But if I have to pick one, I would say Brooklyn Branstiter. She’ll be a junior. She always goes out of her way to make sure other people are OK. Every time I see her, she’s always helping somebody.”
Q: During your educational career, which teacher do you feel has made the biggest influence on you?
GIBSON: “I would say either [Carlos Palomo] or Chris Seebohm. They’ve always been there for me. If I’m having a rough day, I know I can always go to them for help. They’re always making sure I’m doing my best and not just in their classes but in everything I do.”
Q: What is your favorite local restaurant?
GIBSON: “La Villa. I like to get the enchilada plate.”
Q: What do you think is the coolest attraction in the WyoBraska region?
GIBSON: “I would say Carhenge since it’s in Alliance.”
Q: What’s the most exciting place you’ve ever traveled to?
GIBSON: “Huntington Beach in California.”
Q: Name one person who you think is a big difference-maker in Alliance.
GIBSON: “Sherri Stoike. She’s always helping people. She also does a lot of volunteer work.”
Q: If you could give a shoutout to one business in Alliance, which one would it be and why?
GIBSON: “My grandpa’s business, West Pine Tree Farm.”
Q: Do you have any siblings?
GIBSON: “Yes, I have two younger sisters: Kennedie (15) and Brookelyn (9).”
If you would like to nominate someone for Nspire Today!’s Athletes of the Week, sponsored by Kristy Culek Agency, you may do so by sending an email to jeff.fielder@nspiretoday.com or by mailing a letter to Nspire Today!, P.O. Box 454, Scottsbluff, NE 69363. Nominations may also be submitted by sending a text to 308-220-8865.
In addition to being recognized online, athletes of the week will also be recognized in Nspire Today! magazine. To sign up for a one-year subscription (12 issues) to the magazine, please send $15 to Nspire Today!, P.O. Box 454, Scottsbluff, NE 69363. To pay with a credit card, please call 308-220-8865.
For all your insurance needs, visit The Kristy Culek Agency, LLC-American Family Insurance, located at 1012 Ave. I in Scottsbluff, or call 308-632-8598.
