Natalie Wright

WONB Scholarship Winner

By BettyTaylor
Photos by Sarah Griffin

Women of New Braunfels recently held its first-ever Future Woman of New Braunfels Scholarship contest for young women in New Braunfels Independent School District or Comal Independent School District intending to pursue a career in graphic design, writing, marketing, communications, journalism or a related field. Natalie Wright, a senior at New Braunfels High School, was the recipient of this year’s scholarship. Finalists were Nicci Krause and Bari Henry. As this year’s Future Woman of New Braunfels Scholarship winner, Natalie receives more than $1,500 in financial aid for college; senior portraits by Griffin Photography (worth up to $900); a consult, couture, custom dress design with quality fabric by Sew What ($500 value); a spa package; limo ride to her school’s prom; a model fashion spread in WONB Magazine and the feature cover of WONB.
“It was exciting when we began receiving applications,” says Traci Chudej, director of marketing for Women of New Braunfels Magazine. “Natalie’s came in and Martha (Dixon) and I were blown away! We all stood watching her DVD thinking ‘Wow!’” 
If you ask Natalie Wright what she is doing these days, you might want to rephrase your question. It might be better to ask her what she’s not doing. After all, the 18-year-old New Braunfels High School senior is a member of the Mid-Texas Symphony Debutante Program, participates as a Unicorn handler at her school, enjoys playing tennis, works part-time at Stamps Chiropractic and will be working at TBarM Camps this summer.
“Well, I will be taking off from my part-time job so I can get ready for summer camp,” she says.
And oh yes, there’s also her media gig. After Natalie quit playing tennis for her school after her junior year, she decided to try something new. She decided to take the broadcast journalism class taught by Jackie Simmonds.
“I’ve done sideline reports for about four games. I edit, and I report the news and in-class announcements,” she says. “I’ve had lots of opportunities to shadow reporters in San Antonio and go out on a crime scene.”
Up until now, Natalie was interested in a career in fashion merchandising.
“But now I am looking to major in telecommunications or film and media studies either at Texas A&M University or Baylor University,” she says.
When a co-worker showed Natalie the scholarship announcement in Women of New Braunfels magazine, Natalie submitted a DVD of her work.
“Natalie’s greatest asset is that she is confident and self-assured, therefore, she’s never nervous on camera,” Simmonds says. “She did a segment for Unicorn Sports this year and interviewed football players. She was able to hold her own with them when they wanted to joke around with her and managed to get some really good interviews. She is really good at thinking on her feet.”
Simmonds says Natalie was well aware that any experience in the industry was good experience, so she never hesitated to do what was asked of her.
“She takes advantage of every opportunity that comes her way and is always striving to be better,” Simmonds says.
Natalie says she became interested in crime scene reporting after going out in the field with reporters in San Antonio. But she has other interests in the business as well.
“I’ve always enjoyed shows such as the ‘Today Show’ – being able to report on the day’s events but also being able to talk over the day’s events as well,” Natalie says.

FUTURE WOMAN OF NEW BRAUNFELS RUNNERS UP
Niccolette “Nicci” Krause
Niccolette “Nicci” Krause, a senior at New Braunfels Christian Academy, is considering pursuing a degree in business at Mary Hardin Baylor.
“I’m also interested in fashion design,” she says.
In fact, her dream job would be owning a clothing store, she says.
Krause fell in love with the University of Mary Hardin Baylor after visiting the campus with a friend.
“And they offered me a scholarship instantly,” she says.
The high school cheerleader recently began taking tumbling classes again after deciding to try out for the university’s cheerleading squad.
“I started taking classes in January and the tryouts are coming up soon, so we’ll see what happens,” she says.
Krause has served various offices at her school’s local chapter of the Business Professionals of America and served as secretary at the state level this past year.

Bari Henry
Bari Henry, a member of Youth Leadership New Braunfels, is a senior at New Braunfels High School. The National Honor Society member also stays busy with her church youth group, and her school’s Spanish club and math club.
In her submittal essay, she wrote: “Being involved in my church youth group has provided me with some of my most memorable leadership and service roles.”
This past summer, Henry traveled to New Orleans with her church youth group to help rebuild homes but also with hopes of rebuilding “their spirits and lives as well.”
Henry would like to pursue a career in medicine and photography.
“While it seems like an interesting combination,” she writes, “One day, I hope to earn my medical license and use my skills as a doctor to aid those less fortunate in third-world countries while bringing awareness through photography.”