Anna Bragg '24 : Finding Herself on the Field and In the Classroom

Whether it’s on the soccer field or in the classroom, Anna Bragg '24 was able to follow her dreams and achieve success during her time at Marian. Anna’s story embodies what it truly means to be a Marian girl, during high school years and beyond.

Anna knew she wanted to go to Marian because she wanted to continue developing old friendships while also forming new bonds, and she wanted the all-girls high school experience. Marian has taught Anna a lot about what it means to be a Marian girl. “Being a Marian girl is something special, and not everyone understands what it is like. You care so deeply about so many different things, and I was able to grow and learn many things about myself,” said Bragg.

Bragg has many  memories of her time at Marian, but one of her favorite memories was Surprise Day, a beloved Marian tradition that was filled with great energy and activities. But the most cherished memory for Anna is the the friendships she made at Marian. “I will forever  be grateful for Marian because of the best friends I have made. High school can be rough sometimes, but my core friends got me through, and that is something I will cherish forever,” said Brag.

Marian gave Anna the lessons and skills she needed to succeed beyond high school. Her biggest lesson is that it is okay to make mistakes. Bragg says, “We all make mistakes, but sometimes we think it’s not okay to make those mistakes. After I graduated, I looked back and don’t even remember most of what happened. Those mistakes are such a tiny part of our lives, and it only gets worse if you don’t let them go. I have learned it is okay to not be perfect, that life will be messy and filled with mistakes.” Bragg has also developed so many skills that have helped her discover her passions. Her time as a student-athlete helped her develop leadership skills, face adversity, and overcome setbacks.

Anna is currently a studebt at Creighton University, where she is a member of the women’s soccer team. Her love of soccer stems from her dad, who played men’s soccer at Creighton. Both she and her brother, Brady, play for Creighton’s soccer teams. She chose Creighton because of soccer opportunities, but also because of its proximity to home and the ability to attend school with her brother. The community aspect of Creighton was also important to her when picking a school. Currently, most of her days are spent playing on the women’s soccer team, but she also enjoys hanging out with her friends, watching sports, traveling, and finding new restaurants around Omaha.

Anna will continue to live up to what it means to be a Marian girl. “As a freshman, it was scary going into a new school with all new kids, but leaving Marian, I was ready for the next chapter of my life, because I practiced and learned those skills.”