Affecting the lives of everyone she touches, senior Charis McGaughy has changed the community of BCS for the better in her four impactful years as a Brentwood Bear. She was often seen walking around the halls with a bright smile at all times of the day, running on the cross country, track, and soccer fields, or joking around with friends.

“I think Charis has a huge impact on the community aspect of BCS, the way that she treats people, she makes everyone feel welcome and comfortable and appreciated,” senior Mia Robertson said. “No one ever feels like they are ever being judged by her.”

This can be shown in her participation in the sports she has played. Since her first year at BCS as a freshman, McGaughy has courageously tried out new sports, succeeding in them all. She burned through volleyball, cross country, softball, soccer, and finally track and field in her senior year, where she qualified for state in the 4x200 relay her first year running, a true testament to her hard work.

In soccer, the only sport McGaughy participated in all four years, McGaughy played the crucial role of right midfield, an incredibly difficult and endurance-saturated position. Her incredible ability to stay joyful even when playing against difficult opponents or around negative attitudes makes her stand out as a valuable player.

“Charis is such a positive light and I just see her radiant light in the hallway, and she puts everyone in a good mood,” junior Hannah Hanrahan said. “She just will talk to anybody, and she is so kind and loving, I don’t think I’ve ever had an interaction with her where she didn’t say, ‘I love you, bye.’”

McGaughy won Miss BCHS (Brentwood Christian Honors Student) for the class of 2025, and took the award with humility and humor, a combination of emotions McGaughy carries around with her daily.

She leads the senior class artistically, as well as through her attitude. She designed the senior class hoodie, depicting a white sheep in a herd of wolves. Not only is this insightful picture spiritually moving, but it is also a beautiful design that will stay with BCS for years to come.

She also won first in the TAPPS State art competition with her piece titled, “At Last.”

“Charis has completely changed the school for the better, giving so many people motivation, courage, hope, acceptance, and a place where they can be themselves without being judged, which is hard to find at this time in our lives,” junior Jack Henry Gonzalez said.

McGaughy’s magnetic personality does more than draw people to her, she uses her friendships with everyone to spread positivity and the love of Jesus.\

McGaughy said: "My faith affects me in a very very very very positive way. Literally all my joy comes from my faith, and anything that’s good about me comes from my faith.

“I feel like [my faith] brings out any gift that God gave me, and helps me use my gifts to be a good friend and be a person that God wants me to be. It makes me happy, go God. Go Jesus, love him.”

In addition to McGaughy’s faith, her humor is an unforgettable part of who she is. Any encounter with McGaughy will show her funny quips, attitude, and hilarious sayings that leave a person smiling for the next hour.

Some of her favorite things to say randomly are: “Supplies!,” “HUZZAH!,” and “Buzzinga.”

Outside of school, McGaughy loves to exert herself physically, spending as much of her free time outside in the sunshine as she can get.

“Charis thrives in any sort of environment with people, with people who aren’t judgemental, with people who are kind," Mia Robertson added. "She loves anything outdoors, like swimming.”

No matter if McGaughy is playing on a sports team, working at school, swimming outside, laughing with friends, or making jokes, she has shown she is a woman of God who loves easily and judges no one. Her place at Brentwood will not be easily forgotten, and she will leave a lasting impression on the community here at BCS.

“Charis is unlike anyone that I’ve ever met,” Gonzalez said. “She has the unique ability to see the most beautiful part of you, even when you can’t see them yourself.

“She makes everyone around her feel so appreciated and seen, and that is why everyone wants to be around her and be her friend. People are drawn to her because of the way that she loves others and makes sure that they feel that love.”