Anna Bryson



Projects by Anna Bryson

From Hoops to Faith

By: Anna Bryson, Olivia Glasgow, Ella Chastain

Bloomington, Ind. (April 3, 2025)

The gym at Bedford North Lawrence High School hums with the familiar squeak of sneakers on polished wood and the thud of basketballs bouncing on the court. But recently, something else has been stirring among the players, a quiet movement that began with one athlete and spread throughout the team like wildfire.

Jacob Ritter, a senior basketball player, stands at the heart of it. He leads his teammates in prayer before every game. Once just a personal ritual shared with his best friend and teammate Colton Taylor, the prayer circle has grown to include the entire team, an unplanned but powerful evolution that Ritter never expected.

Jacob playing basketball
Jacob Ritter, a senior basketball player at Bedford North Lawrence, is busy practicing for the start of the sectional tournament. He believes his team can go all the way to the championship this 2024-25 season.

For Ritter, the story goes much deeper than basketball. Just a year ago, he was in a dark place, distanced from his faith and living a life he now describes as filled with mistakes and regret. “I was doing things I shouldn’t have been doing and getting far away from God,” Ritter admits, reflecting on a time when he felt lost and disconnected. But one night, while playing video games at home, everything changed.

Jacob’s mother, Summer Ritter, approached him unexpectedly and began talking about Christianity. Initially, he was angry, brushing her off as he had done before. But something was different this time. As his mother continued to speak, Ritter felt his muscles relax and an overwhelming sense of peace wash over him. Then, as Summer prayed and began speaking in tongues, Ritter felt something break inside of him.

Summer praying for a teen
Summer Ritter, Jacob’s mother, prays for Abigail Martin, a local at their church. She has influenced her son’s friends as they join hands with Christ.

It was a turning point that Ritter could not ignore. The next day, his friend Colton asked if he could take him to church. Ritter shared his encounter with his closest friends, and that Wednesday night, they all went together, not for God, but to support their coach, Brayden Tidd, who was preaching. To everyone’s surprise, by the end of the night, Ritter’s friends had also dedicated their lives to Christ.

From that moment, everything changed. Not only did Ritter renew his faith, but he also found himself guiding his friends on their own spiritual journeys. What started as a private transformation soon became a community of belief and support, bound by their love for basketball and God. “God moved through me first to reach them,” Ritter says, still humbled by the impact of his journey.

Summer, who has been a youth leader at their church for several years, saw the difference in her son immediately. Once angry and distant, Ritter had become joyful, open, and compassionate again. “When he walks into a room, he brings God with him,” Summer says proudly. “There are no words to watch your son minister to other people and save their lives.”

As Ritter’s faith grew stronger, his influence stretched beyond his inner circle. Teammates who had once watched from a distance began joining the prayer circle. Ritter found himself leading his team, sharing faith and purpose. The circle expanded game by game until, at their final game, every player joined hands in prayer, a moment that brought Ritter’s journey full circle.

Ritter acknowledges that giving up old habits and friends was one of the most challenging aspects of his transformation. He knew that rededicating his life to Christ would mean leaving behind things he once clung to. “It was the best decision of my life,” he says. “But it wasn’t easy.”

Now, Ritter’s passion for faith and basketball are intertwined. His performance on the court has improved since his rededication, and injuries seem less frequent. “I used to pray before games like it was nothing,” he recalls, admitting that his heart wasn’t in it. But now, every prayer carries weight and purpose, reminding him that God’s light is meant to shine through his actions.

Off the court, Ritter hosts Bible studies at his family’s home, an idea he proposed to his parents, Summer and Jeff Ritter. What began as a small gathering has since grown, with friends inviting more people and church leaders joining to guide the discussions. Ritter knows that a church is more than a building, it’s the people who make up the community.

As the team prepares for sectionals, where they’ll face the number six team in the state, Ritter’s perspective remains clear. It’s not just about winning games but about fulfilling his purpose. “God put us on this earth for a reason,” he says. “We just have to dig deep and follow our paths.”

Looking back, Ritter sees his journey as one not only of personal redemption but as a source of hope for others. His story is a testament to how faith can redefine a life, and how one young man’s decision to let God lead has transformed a team, a community, and himself.

On and off the court, Ritter leads with himself a growing purpose. His passion for faith has drawn teammates and friends into a growing movement.

 

Apple CEO Tim Cook Shows off new Apple Watch

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contacts

Ben Cowles: Photographer
Anna Bryson: Editor
Alex Lemon: Writer

CUPERTINO, California. (Sept. 9th, 2014) –

Apple CEO Tim Cook unveiled the companies new Apple Watch which utilizes a brand new user interface to infuse it’s iPhone technology with a wrist watch on Tuesday.

The introductory video for the Apple Watch was met with a standing ovation by the audience at Apple’s WorldWide Developer Conference held at Apple Park, the companies HeadQuarters. In this video, Apple highlighted many features that grant users the ability to make each Apple Watch unique. Features include customizable layouts, a simple to use interface and interchangeable wristbands. 

The Apple Watch, set for release in early 2015, will come in three different editions; Apple Watch, Apple Watch Sport and Apple Watch Edition. With the release of their new product, Apple has continued its line of groundbreaking technology.

“It’s so simple and elegant, it’s something only Apple could do,” Cook said. 

Cook and Vice President Kevin Lynch showed off the three main purposes of the Apple Watch. First, it functions as a fast and reliable time keeper with a clock that “is accurate within plus or minus 50 milliseconds,” Cook said. Second, the Apple Watch’s communication system has created a new and fun way to get in touch with friends. With the simple motion of your wrist, the user is able to view notifications and even respond to messages. Using the Quick Board feature, messages can easily be responded to with analyzed responses or silly emojis. Finally, Cook mentions its ability to work as a fitness band for all types of individuals. It is able to accomplish this through the two separate apps that come installed on the watch, the fitness and workout apps. With the Apple Watch, the potential for fitness growth is limitless.

Bloison Lawee glances at his new Apple Watch, adjusting the settings. Lawee uses his watch to track his assignments for school, keep up with friends and log his medications

“Apple builds great products that enrich people’s lives,” Cook said, “and arguably, we can take that to a whole new level with Apple Watch.”

Developers at Apple understood that a change would need to be made for the interface to be optimized for this new device. Instead of using your finger to scroll, Apple implemented a sleek dial on the side which they are calling the digital crown. This digital crown allows users to zoom in and out as well as navigate the user interface without blocking the user’s view of the screen. This proactive step of incorporating a more useful function to an everyday device like the dial on a watch, Apple proves they have spent deep thought on both form and function.

“It can be worn all day, for any occasion,” Cook said.

Jeremy Cowles uses a lathe to whittle down a piece of wood for a table project. Cowles uses his apple watch to play podcasts about wood working, keep in touch with family, and respond to calls while he is wood working.

Each user can make their Apple Watch unique, not just with the interface but with its six boldly unique types of straps. All of these straps, which come in many vibrant colors, can be easily interchanged with one another with a simple interlocking system. These bands can be used for function, with the user’s choice of a chemical resistant band or a leather buckle and stainless steel straps.

“Apple Watch is the most personal device Apple has ever created,” Cook said.

The Apple watch will start at $349 upon its release. The Apple Watch will work with your iPhone, allowing the Apple Watch to pull up messages and allow responses. Due to this, the iPhone is necessary for use of the Apple Watch. 

The Apple Watch comes with its magnetic charging cable which easily attaches to the back of the watch for charging. With its 18 hour battery life, the Apple Watch can last users all day and charge rapidly overnight.  The Apple Watch comes in a 38 or 42 millimeter screen and comes in two separate finishes, stainless steel or space black. 


Apple CEO Tim Cook exhibits the company’s new product, the Apple Watch in Cupertino, California. He described the features that differentiate the watch from other products on Tuesday.

###