PORT NECHES — A medical condition closed a door for one time athlete Kaitlyn Bearden but opened a door to her future.

Bearden, a senior at Port Neches-Groves High School and a member of the top 2 percent of her class, played sports as a freshman then was diagnosed with multidirectional instability that affects her shoulder function.

“My life changed,” Bearden said. “So I joined the theater and found a purpose, to make people’s lives better.”

Theater is known to draw some who are going through a hard time, she said.

“We talk to people. It’s like being a counselor. I make sure they’re safe,” she said. “Theater is like family and the black box is my home. I’m there more than my own home.”

Bearden has family in the medical field but decided against following in their steps.

“You have to love what you do or you’re not in the right spot,” she said.

Bearden is a member of the schools theater performance group, the Key Club, Tribe, French Club, is in all advanced placement courses and participates in University Interscholastic League Poetry and Prose and One Act Play.

At the high school Bearden has portrayed Atina in The Little Mermaid, Zhang in Mulan, one of the Three Little Pigs in Shrek and a dancer in The Great Gatsby.

She is also on the praise team at First Baptist Church of Groves.

Jessie Burkle, one of Bearden’s teachers, said she is the consummate student.

“She is committed to academic excellence, engaged in student activities and prepared to meet the exciting challenges that await her,” Burkle said. “I feel privileged to have been her teacher.”

Bearden has been accepted to Baylor University and Lamar University and will soon make her choice.

“Being in theater is like a dream come true,” she said.

She plans to major in business marketing with plans to create a community performing arts center that will host not only theater performances but concerts as well. She’s eyeing the New Braunfels area for her future business.

“I’m ready for a new adventure,” she added.

Bearden is the daughter of Katrina Bearden Stanford.

Mary Meaux: 721-2429

Twitter: @MaryMeauxPANews