Music leads Cheatham to Judson College

Editor’s Note: Franklin’s Future is a regular feature spotlighting a high school senior in Franklin County and what they have planned for life after graduation.

High school graduate Brittany Cheatham didn’t always attend Tharptown Schools, but the years she did spend there were a memorable experience.
The 18-year-old joined the students of THS in the 10th grade and she said she immediately felt at home.
“At first, it was like being in kindergarten all over again because you were in a new school and had to make all new friends,” she said. “But I was coming from a small school, so coming to a place like Tharptown made it an easier transition because everything seemed familiar.”
During those three years, Cheatham became a cheerleader and got involved in the school’s chapter of 4-H, where she served as president.
“4-H is just a great club to be a part of,” she said. “There are a lot of opportunities to learn leadership skills through the mid-winter leadership conference they have every year, and that really helps you learn how to come out of your shell.
“I actually ended up meeting my best friend through 4-H and I feel like I’ve learned a lot about myself, so I’d have to say being part of this club is probably one of the best experiences I had during high school.”
A few not-so-great experiences she had were still experiences she said she would never forget and would always look back on with a laugh.
“When we went to City Lake Park to get our Who’s Who pictures made, I was running to get in the picture after I changed clothes and the pier was icy, so I fell down and slid across the pier,” she said, laughing at the memory. “Then I fell down again at Senior Field Day. I felt like such a klutz, but both times everybody just laughed right along with me.
“Those are the kinds of things that seem so awful when they happen, but now I just laugh when I think about it. I’m sure all my friends do, too.”
Those friends she made at THS will be hard to replace and Cheatham said she would miss seeing them every day at school. However, she said she was looking forward to the new experiences college would bring.
“I think it will be nice to be on my own and have some independence,” she said. “It will be fun to meet new people and live in a different place for a while.”
Cheatham is planning to attend Judson College in the fall.
“I went to Judson College for Junior Day and I just fell in love with the whole place,” she said. “I knew I had to go there. Everyone was really nice and it seems like they have a lot of fun and there is a lot to be a part of.”
One thing that Cheatham said would be hard about moving off to school would be leaving behind her family, including her parents, Scotty and Joann Wood, her sister, Cheyenne Cheatham, and the two newest additions to the family, twins Kyle and Ally Wood.
“My mom just had twins about five months ago, and I love playing with my new little brother and sister,” she said. “It was such a shock at first because I was always the baby, but they are so sweet and I’ve spent so much time with them. It will be hard not to see them everyday.”
Cheatham will be going to college on a vocal music scholarship. She said she hoped to major in something relating to music or history.
“History has always been my favorite subject because I like learning about the past and what everyone had to go through to get to where we are now,” she said.
“I’ve always liked to sing, but I’ve never thought about studying it until I started singing in my church choir and they encouraged me to pursue it. I’m really hard on myself when it comes to my singing, so it was good to have supportive people, especially my mom.”
Cheatham said she was leaning towards a career teaching music or show choir because she felt like it would be rewarding.
“I would love to be able to share my passion for music with younger kids,” she said. “I wouldn’t mind coming back here to work, but it will all depend on where I can get a job because I don’t know how in-demand a show choir teacher would be here in Franklin County.”
Before she heads off to college in August, Cheatham said she hoped to soak up as much family and friends time as she could.
“I’m just going to enjoy it while I can because the time just seems to fly by.”