I’ve broken a few bones in my day…OK just my nose once, but Brittany Love definitely has me beat. The Miss COED 2017 semifinalist snapped her wrist in half three times and even fell out of a second story window. Say what?!?! Luckily, she’s not letting anything get her down. Err, except gravity. (Sorry, I had to). The 22-year-old is still flawless AF and thankfully didn’t damage any brain cells because she’s studying Kinesiology at the University of Kentucky. One day, she hopes to become a pediatric oncologist and “save every child’s life that I can.”
Yet her life hasn’t been all smiles and rainbows – a good friend and ex-boyfriend both committed suicide. With the help of her awesome mom, stepdad, and brothers, Brittany was able to move forward and is now spreading the word about suicide prevention and awareness. In other words, this lovely lady is freakin’ amazing, and we’re proud to call her a semifinalist.
Get to know more about Brittany below and be sure to check back daily as we get to know each of our contestants a bit better.
What’s your favorite school tradition?
My favorite school tradition has to be State Street in March! I was told this doesn’t count as a school tradition because it’s only if we win, but lets be honest, I go to UK…. We always win. 🙂 So during March Madness, after every win, we all rush to a street called State Street. It doesn’t matter how far away you are, there are literally just thousands of people who immediately start running to State! Once you’re there, there is a lot of chanting the CATS cheer and waving flags, etc. Freshman year I was so scared of it – there’s like 8,000 people going crazy and stuff burning! (Yes, we are the infamous couch burners!) But once you experience it, it is totally different. There’s nothing that brings thousands of college kids together like a Kentucky Basketball win!
Who do you look up to the most and why?
As cliche as it sounds, I look up to my parents the most. I have gone through a LOT in my 22 years, things that people should never have to experience in their whole lifetime and I’m still young. Many days, I begin to wonder how in the world I’m going to keep pushing and make it through, but every day, I look to my mom and I remember all of the things she’s been through, everything she’s overcome, which was way more than I could even imagine, and how strong she is today. She’s my strength, my guidance, my rock. My brother and I like to call her Superwoman. She taught me everything in life except how to live without her. I also look up to my stepdad a lot. Him and my mom got married when I was 7-years-old. My dad wasn’t really around much and my step dad stepped up to the plate big time. From the day we met, he took me under his wing and helped guide me through this crazy life. He made sure I had anything I needed or even wanted. He took care of my brothers and I like we were his own and we love him like we are his own too. He may not biologically be my father, but he sure stepped up to be my dad and I could not be more thankful for either of my parents!
Which organization on campus are you most passionate about and why?
DANCE BLUE! Every year, UK holds a Dance Blue marathon. It’s a 24 hour, no sitting, no sleeping dance marathon used to raise money for children’s cancer care and research. I have been very passionate about helping these sick children my entire life, which is why I am going to school to be a pediatric oncologist. I am SO blessed to go to a University that hosts such a crazy fun event to raise so much money for research and care for these children. To date, they have raised over eight million dollars!
Give your BFF a shoutout! What’s his/her name and how long have you been besties?
Through the years, I’ve grown close to a lot of people and have many friends. However, throughout life, I would have to say my brothers, Tim and Shane, have always been my best friends! They’re the reason I’m strong today, the reason I know how to defend myself, and the reason I am a sports fanatic – really. When I was five years old, they went up the street to play football and I was told I couldn’t go, so I snuck off while my mom was doing laundry and rode my little three wheeler all the way down to see them because “I wanted to watch my Bubby play ball.” I have always been able to go to them for anything and everything and know I’ll be okay! My favorite story is when I was 4-5, we were told to clean our rooms or we would be in trouble. I was your average kid who didn’t want to clean my room, which really just meant picking up my toys and putting them in the toy box. My brother wanted to make sure I didn’t get in trouble, so he rushed to clean my room first. What are best friends for, right?!
Do you have any secret talents?
I am 100% sure that my secret talent is being clumsy (and breaking bones). I’ve broken my wrist 3 times, including totally crushing it once on the monkey bars. Ya know, just normal stuff….. Oh, I also was sitting in my windowsill when I was 3-4 and fell out of my second story window. Thank goodness I landed in a bush! ha ha. Clumsy is definitely my talent! I would put singing as a close second though! I’ve loved singing since I was super young. Maybe one day I’ll sing for everyone to hear. 🙂
