Jens Brynestad

Gig Harbor High senior has ‘heart of gold,’ excellent record despite health struggles

Jens Brynestad is an accomplished scholar, athlete and leader. He will graduate with a 3.8 grade-point average despite having missed school during his senior year after he had surgery to remove a brain tumor.

Brynestad said returning to school after missing more than two months was difficult — especially since he still had health challenges — but he was determined to catch up with his academics with extra work.

Brynestad showed strength of character as his mother learned she needed surgery and radiation for cancer within days of his own recovery. His uncle lost his battle with cancer.

“It has been a year of testing and endurance,” said Jennifer Clarke, a Gig Harbor High School counselor. “Jens has overcome this obstacle with grace and perseverance. He is the most remarkable young man I have ever been blessed to experience. He is a gift to all of us.”

Brynestad is a star tennis player who was selected to play on the Tides’ No. 1 doubles team this year. He has played tennis since he was 7, and he led Gig Harbor to a second place finish in the Narrows League this year as the team’s captain. He was ready for a chance at the Class 4A state tournament — a goal he worked toward for three years — but he was diagnosed with a tumor just three days before the league tournament.

“(Tennis) is a sport you can play your whole life,” said Brynestad, whose parents are both tennis players. “I love all the experiences we have with the team. I like that it’s a sport with a lot of class, and you need to have a good attitude and sportsmanship.”

Brynestad said he’d like to continue playing in college, if the option is available. He plans to study English, business and theology, and he has a dream of working for a nonprofit organization or a ministry.

Brynestad said working for a nonprofit would be more fulfilling because, “You’re making a difference, and it’s not about making money.”

Through his church, he participated in mission trips to Mexico for four years. The mission was to help build six homes for poor families and involved 75 youth and as many as 30 adults, split into six teams.

“You see what it’s like in other countries, and it’s not like Gig Harbor — a lot of people are suffering,” he said. “It teaches you to be appreciative of what you do have, and it teaches you good ethics.”

This year, he was a site leader during the mission trip.

“Jens has a heart of gold, and his character is defined by compassion, hard work, responsibility and great faith,” Clarke said. “He is absolutely adored by his peers and the staff who know him.”

Jens Brynestad

Education: Senior, Gig Harbor High School

GPA: 3.8

Parents: Bart and Berta Brynestad

Activities/achievements: Varsity tennis (three years), captain, ranked 46th in Pacific Northwest for USTA at challenger level, voted Most Inspirational player; Ping Pong Club president; track and field; Student of the Month; “Tide Guy;” youth group leader; Mexico mission trip student leader; Sunday School teacher.

Favorite teacher: Mr. Everett, “because his teaching style is funny and he cares about teaching,” Brynestad said.

Best thing about high school: “Gig Harbor High School has a lot of good athletics and activities not offered at other schools, and we can excel at different things because we have really good teachers and coaches,” he said.