ROOTED IN GRIT

Some stories of leadership don’t start with a job title. They start with a willingness to show up, to give time, and to share a passion. For Averi Bradley and DJ Randolph, that’s how Prairie Grit became more than a place to volunteer—it became part of who they are.

A Spark in High School

For Averi, the spark came early. She remembers a childhood friendship with a classmate who had cerebral palsy and was nonverbal. That friendship shaped how she saw ability, joy, and connection. Later, time at the hockey rink introduced her to the Thompson family, and soon she began to notice the ways Prairie Grit was opening doors for kids like her friend.

“I’m an athlete myself, and I think anyone can be one too if they are set up for success,” Averi said. That belief carried her into adaptive golf lessons at Souris Valley, where she fell in love with the determination and spirit of every athlete. “After the first practice, I knew I was in it for the long haul.”

Through high school, college, and now full-time work, her role has always been about the same thing: showing up, welcoming participants and families, and making sure every child has a chance to succeed. Today, she teaches Tiny and Little Gritters Preschool and coaches across multiple sports.

One of her most meaningful moments came when a parent told her that her daughter loved preschool so much she was now “playing school” at home. “She said, ‘Averi, you’re going to be that teacher kids always remember.’ In that moment, I knew I was doing exactly what God had planned for me.”

A Call to the Outdoors

DJ’s journey began in a different setting: the open fields and woods of North Dakota. A lifelong outdoorsman, he had spent decades helping others experience hunting. When Prairie Grit began exploring the idea of adaptive hunting, it was DJ who stepped forward to guide those first hunts.

“At the time, I had no idea what it would come to mean to me and everyone else involved,” he said. What struck him most wasn’t just the filled tags but the shared moments in nature—the sights, sounds, and feelings that had always been part of his own life. “Spending time with our adaptive hunters and seeing that they feel that too really touched me.”

Leadership came naturally. “I didn’t really think about being a leader, I was just doing what I love to do,” DJ said. Over the years, his dedication helped Prairie Grit Outdoors grow from an idea with donated equipment into a thriving program. After retiring from his career, he officially joined the Prairie Grit staff.

“There was a moment with a young hunter, Wyatt, when we both sat with tears in our eyes after a successful hunt. Someone snapped a picture, and to me, that photo defines what Prairie Grit Outdoors is about,” DJ shared.

Growing with Prairie Grit

Both Averi and DJ have witnessed Prairie Grit evolve firsthand. Averi remembers the early days before therapy was added, watching the organization expand from a single OT to a full team of therapists. Now, she sees preschool students grow into athletes and therapy clients discover new sports.

DJ sees the same full-circle growth outdoors. In 2025, experienced hunters began coaching new participants—proof that the program is building on itself and sustaining a family feel while reaching more people. “With every hunt we not only bring in more hunters, but we bring in family members, landowners, and volunteers,” DJ said. “Prairie Grit Outdoors is something that once you experience it, you can’t imagine life without it.”

Rooted in Service, Growing into Leadership

What began as two volunteer commitments has turned into roles that shape Prairie Grit’s future. Averi brings energy and compassion to classrooms and courts, showing children how fun learning and movement can be. DJ carries his passion for the outdoors into a program that continues to open doors for adaptive hunters across the region.

Together, their stories show that Prairie Grit doesn’t just run on programs—it runs on people who are rooted in grit, willing to step forward, and ready to grow into leaders who make possibility feel limitless.