by By Dan Ninham
Kennedy Bark is 19 years old and lives in Mesa, Arizona. After graduation last school year at Westwood HS she probably didn’t have to get a moving truck to go to her college choice. Kennedy signed to play softball at Mesa Community College in Arizona.
“I’m Navajo and my clans are Tsédeeshgizhnii (Rock Gap People), Naasht’ézhí (Zuni People), Tsi’nnajinii (Black Streak People),” said Kennedy. “I am also Cherokee and my clan is the Wolf Clan.”
“I started playing softball at five years old,” said Kennedy. “Starting from little league to varsity high school to 18U club softball. Little League All-star teams, taking my team to the state championship. High school as a 6A varsity starter and freshman year honorable mention, sophomore year a First Team All Region, junior year a First Team All Region, and senior year was cut short due to Covid-19 pandemic.”
“Building my self-confidence and knowing who I am are becoming more important to me as I’m getting older,” said Kennedy. “In order to improve my athletic skills, I need to mentally know my strengths and weaknesses. Being an athlete, you need to have mental toughness, especially playing softball or baseball. 90% of the game is mental and the other 10% is physical.”
“My freshman high school coach, Wayne Hill, influenced me to work hard and set high goals,” said Kennedy. “As a Native American as well, he was a great role model for me. He always taught that anything’s possible if I’m dedicated and striving improvement in myself.”
“My aunt Rachael West was another person who inspired me,” said Kennedy. “She pitched on her high school team and won a state championship then pitched at Northern Arizona University in 1985. Growing up, she always brought equipment for me, encouraged me and supported me, gave me advice to better my skills.”
“Kennedy is a very focused, smart, kind, athletic and pleasant young lady,” said aunt Rachael West. “Family and her relationship with God are priority #1 with Kennedy, then academics and softball. Kennedy enjoys and participates in various community service events. One year for her birthday, instead of receiving gifts, she and her friends took food to others in need. She is one of the kindest and most caring individuals I know.”
“Kennedy has always strived to be an excellent student. She has received many academic accolades such as the dean’s list and scholar athlete awards. I can’t recall all of them but her bedroom wall is covered with them. This last spring she was selected as student of the month for her 6A school in Mesa. Unfortunately with the pandemic she wasn’t able to receive her award in person,” added Rachael.
“As a senior at Westwood HS, she was selected a captain of her team,” said Rachael. “Her commitment and enthusiasm to this sport is evident in the hours logged for practice, travel and games.”
“As she enters college, she is aspiring to study in the medical field. I’m sure her passion with sports will lead her to physical therapy or kinesiology,” added Rachael.
“I cannot forget to mention my mom and dad,” said Kennedy. “Both played baseball and softball in high school, played in many softball tournaments in the southwest, and are my #1 supporters. I couldn’t be where I am today without them.”
“My daughter Kennedy is very easy-going, friendly, caring and loving daughter,” said Anissa Bark. “She always thinks of others before herself. She has always been conscientious of others and their needs and feelings. Most importantly, Kennedy is driven by her desire to achieve her goals.”
“Playing sports helped shaped her. It taught her discipline, responsibility, respect and leadership. She played sports in high school but fell in love with softball. She played on a club softball team traveling to different states competing at the highest level. She played second base and outfield. She hits homeruns in clutch situations. In high school at a 6A school, she received many awards as an all-region player and captain of her team. During the pandemic, she continued to stay in shape to prepare for college ball. She drives herself to get better either by working out with a personal trainer or hitting at the cages by herself since there are no club or college practices. She is motivated,” added mom Anissa.
“Academically, she always strived to do well in school,” said Anissa. “It paid off and she received an academic award for MCC. In high school teachers always had nice things to say about her. She was always respectful and helpful. At the end of year awards for Westwood High School, she was named Shield Student of the Year. Considering how big of a high school it was, this was a great honor.”
“Whether it is academics or sports, she wants to be her best self. Her goals drive her. She has big plans and will do and be great at anything she puts her mind to. She is ready to tackle the world,” said Anissa.
“Kennedy is a full time student at Mesa Community College,” said dad Stanley Bark. “She studies at home on online classes. Softball doesn’t start until January but she has found a strength coach, and most of the time I work with her throwing, fielding and hitting skills when she has time for practice.”
“Kennedy is looking forward to playing softball. She is a utility player, and can play seven of the nine positions,” added Stanley.
“Throughout the pandemic, I continue to improve my cardio by going on hikes and follow my college coach’s workout routine he provided,” said Kennedy.
“To be honest, the emotional part was tough for me because during my senior season, prom and graduation were cancelled,” said Kennedy. “I was devastated at first but having my family supporting me, I knew it wasn’t the end of the world. I had to realize what was important in my life and be grateful for what I had. It made me emotionally stronger.”
“Mentally, I have a book called Mind Gym,” said Kennedy. “It talked about great athletes and how their methods helped them to be great. It’s an excellent book for student athletes to read. That book helped me handle my trials and struggles, including this pandemic. It taught me to always hope for the better and that self-confidence is important.”
“Spiritually, I knew this pandemic is a great time to strengthen my faith and hope,” said Kennedy. “Together, my family became stronger and we only hope for good health and safety. With this support, I have confidence that everything will go rightfully if we believe.”
“Perseverance and dedication are two important traits that will bring success in life,” said Kennedy.
Photo Credit: TK Kreation
Check out Kennedy’s softball skills video here:
Kennedy is a wonderful person. She is kind, considerate, and highly motivated. I was blessed to be a small part of her life as her varsity Softball coach and her school counselor. One does not need to look far to see how her character was formed. Her mother and father had done a remarkable job developing these characteristics in their daughter. Love you all
Coach Hill