Buddy Roberts

sports@newsaegis.com

 

The term “renaissance woman” isn’t usually applied to teenagers, but a case could be made for using it to describe Haley Powers.

The 13-year-old is an award-winning bluegrass violinist, an honors student at Leeds Middle School, and a three-sport athlete.  She recently explained how she was introduced to the violin, recalled a special opportunity the instrument has afforded her, and identified her dream job.

Her instruments:  “I’ve played violin for seven years, and I also play a little mandolin.”

Her instrument:  Haley plays her grandfather’s violin manufactured by William Lewis & Sons in 1918.  “Until I started playing, I didn’t know my grandfather played violin.  It’s so cool that one of my old family members also plays it.”

Her introduction to the violin:  “I remember watching the Miss America pageant when I was in first grade, and one of the girls’ talents was violin.  I told my mom I thought it would be really cool if I could play it.  So I started taking lessons, and I learned a song at my first lesson.”  The song was the folk standard “Boil Them Cabbage Down,” and Haley was six years old at the time.

The hardest part of playing violin:  “Learning and memorizing the songs as you go along.”

A special opportunity last summer:  Last July, Haley played the national anthem prior to an Atlanta Braves-San Francisco Giants game at Turner Field.  

“We drove to Atlanta late the night before, and we had to be there early for the practice run.  It was hot, but it was a lot of fun.  We had a whole crowd there from Leeds.  Coach (Keith) Etheredge and everybody came.”  She has also performed the national anthem at Birmingham Barons games for the past three years.

Her awards:  A second place showing at the Cherokee County Fiddlers’ Convention, second and third place awards at the Dekalb County Fiddlers’ Convention, and a second place honors in the 10-and-younger division of the Tennessee Valley Fiddlers’ Convention, one of the oldest in the Southeast.

Her parents: Jeff and Amy Powers.

Her favorite subject: Science

At Leeds Middle:  Haley is a member of the National Junior Honor Society, volleyball team, and cheerleading squad.  She’s also a member of the Green Wave’s varsity track team, competing in the 400m dash as well as the 800m and 1600m races. Haley qualified for sectionals this year in the 1600m event.

Her favorite sport:  “I like track because it goes on most of the year with staying in shape and everything.  I’ve never played volleyball before, so I’m looking forward to getting better at it and learning better sportsmanship.”

When she grows up:  “I really want to be a Disney Imagineer.  They’re the people who design the theme parks, rides and hotels.  I’d love to work at Disney.  Even if it’s just as a popcorn vendor, I don’t care.”