Brittney Rice
Brittney Rice lived in Texarkana 18 years. She went on to attend Texas A&M University in College Station. After graduation, she moved to Dallas where she is now a successful Fitness and Nutrition Consultant at CFDC in Dallas, Texas.
What is your favorite Texarkana memory?
Most of my Texarkana memories revolve around sports. I started playing as soon as I could walk, so it was a huge part of what made me who I am. Pleasant Grove was a powerhouse volleyball school, with a 13-year streak of never losing a district game. I was fortunate enough to get to be a part of that legacy. One of my best memories was the first time I ever got to play in a varsity game as a sophomore. It was the 100th straight district win, and we were ahead in the last part of the game. My coach looked down the bench to call me in. I was TERRIFIED, and told our setter, Kathryn Ward, “Whatever you do, do NOT give me the ball.” She did the exact opposite. I was able to get my first “kill” as a varsity player and it made my night.
Were you a Hawk, Leopard, Razorback or Tiger?
Hawk Nation! My favorite story to tell is about the volleyball rival game between Pleasant Grove and Liberty-Eylau. We played at Texas High, and truly, I have never experienced a gym so loud. It was a close game, but the fans were so invested and competitive that police had to escort the two schools out separate doors to make sure everyone got to exit safely. Volleyball was such a huge part of my middle school and high school experience, so it was fun to see the entire town care just as much as we did. It was also a huge plus that we ended up winning.
What do you love about Texarkana?
I love the small-town feel. When I look at the numbers, it’s much bigger than most of the suburbs around Dallas. However, to this day, every time I go home, I know I will run into at least one or two people I know.
What was the teen hangout when you lived here?
When I was in high school, we used to call Sonic “Club Sonic.” It was such a great place to meet up before the night’s activities. We would grab a fun drink, catch up with friends and jump in each other’s cars to carpool to a friend’s house or football game for the night!
Where was your favorite place to eat in Texarkana?
TaMolly’s! The greatest Mexican food in all of Texas! I would say I ended up there at least once a week with family or friends. I also hold it a little closer to my heart because all four of my siblings, at one point or another, worked there as one of their first jobs. I’m still trying to find salsa I enjoy more than theirs.
What would you change about Texarkana?
I would love to see more culture in Texarkana. After living in Dallas the past eight years, it’s one of my favorite hobbies to find and try new restaurants. Texarkana really enjoys what is familiar. I’ve had a couple of trips home when I’ve seen new concept restaurants open their doors, just to be closed within a year. Texarkana’s loyalty to the restaurants that have staying power ends up being to their detriment. You can always have Chilis but Texarkana is missing out on amazing food!
Who is someone from Texarkana who impacted your life?
Amy Collvins. She was my coach from my first year in athletics all the way through graduation. Coaches play such a huge role in their players’ lives, and Coach Collvins made sure each of us knew we were loved. She had a great way of being our friend, participating in our dance parties and late-night shenanigans and calling us up to be better athletes and people.
What words do you live by?
Love God. Love People.
I feel like if you can live by those two principles, you’ve done something right with your time on Earth.
TXK Roots is Texarkana Magazine’s forum to highlight and honor Texarkana natives who have accomplished big things in the world. These folks may have relocated, but they took the values, education, work ethic and creativity instilled in them by growing up in this unique border city and used these qualities to blaze extraordinary trails. We asked them to share their thoughts about growing up here. No matter how far from Texarkana they may find themselves, we will always consider them our neighbors and we are proud to claim them as forever members of our extended Texarkana community. After all, “everyone is famous in their hometown!”
