Hi, my name is Rebekah Smith. I am 8 years old but my birthday is soon and I will be 9. I am homeschooled and just finished up 2nd grade. I have lived in Big Lake all of my life. I live with my mom, dad and 5 other siblings. I actually have 6 siblings in all. My oldest sister, Autumn, lives in Tennessee with her husband Josh. My sister Kaitlyn is graduating high school this week and is moving to North Dakota for college. I am pretty sad about that. Zack and Caleb are in High School and I have a twin brother, Elijah and youngest sister is Naomi. I have a passion for wrestling! I started wrestling when I was 3 years old. I watched my brothers and I knew it was going to be fun. My older sisters were wrestling managers so I have grown up always going to wrestling tournaments. Since I started wrestling I have had many great accomplishments. My 1st year of competition wrestling I placed 1st in the Girls division and 2nd in the Boys. The next year I placed 4th in the Girls division and made the Girls Nationals Team. The following year I placed 1st at USA Folkstyle Nationals. I have since competed for the MNUSA Storm Girls Team. When I wrestle I represent Big Lake Wrestling. I was so excited to watch history be made last year when girls wrestling became a sanctioned high school sport. I knew this would mean someday I would have more opportunities for wrestling. This year I watched my mentors, and the girls that I look up to, wrestle at the Minnesota State High School Wrestling Tournament and win State Titles.
Unfortunately I ended up sick and was not able to attend in person. I was not happy about this at all but my mom and dad helped me make the best of it. One area I am focused on with my mom is
growing girls wrestling, especially here in Big Lake. This is something I want to do because I would love to see more girls have the same opportunities I have had and watch other girls grow in both strength and confidence.
I someday hope to be someone the younger girls can look up to.
Q: What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in our community?
Cambo Flare and Embers Coffee, I love their ice cream
Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community?
My whole life, so almost 9 years
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in our community?
Eunice Hall. She is my neighbor she is a very special lady. I have adopted her as my grandma. She teaches me how to cook, garden and sew. I love her very much.
Q: Do you have any pets? If so, what are they and what are their names?
Yes, Dakota he is a German Short Hair Pointer
Q: What advice would you give to people living in Big Lake?
Get your kids involved in wrestling, especially if they are a girl.
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
Go to California and meet Trinity and Madison
Q: What is your favorite current or former business in our community?
Julie Hunt Piano Studio
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
The beach, bike paths, Spudfest, Farmers Market, Music In Park
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
Attending Augsburg University on a full wrestling scholarship.
Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
I do not like peanut butter by itself. It must be with something like chocolate or strawberry jelly
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
Aspen Blasko. She is an amazing wrestler who I look up to. She teaches me a lot, not only about wrestling but also about life and how to be a better person.
Q: Finally, what 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of Big Lake?
Home, Hornets, Summer Fun
