OA Vault: Bella Perkins

About this episode

Bella Perkins shares her journey through sports, identity, and personal growth.

In this episode, Bella Perkins, a recent Orange Arrow alum, shares her journey through sports, identity, and growth. From battling early injuries to playing in a national championship televised on ESPN and earning Gatorade State High School Player of the Year, Bella's path has been shaped by determination. She opens up about the college recruiting process, why she first chose USC, and how transferring to Pitt turned out to be a smooth transition — aside from leaving the California weather behind. Bella also reflects on her time as an OA intern, from sending her first work email to speaking during a meeting with the Steelers, and shares how the experience helped her grow professionally and personally. Most of all, she reminds us that while being an athlete shapes who you are, it’s only part of the story.

People in this episode

Guest: Bella Perkins

Topics covered

• sports
• identity
• growth
• college recruiting
• athlete experience

Keywords

• injuries
• national championship
• Gatorade State High School Player of the Year
• USC
• Pitt
• internship
• Steelers

Mentioned in this episode

Places: California

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