14 Years

14 Years - That’s how long I have been a Railroader.
Fourteen years ago, Charlie Walsh took a chance on me and gave me the head coaching job at Sparks High School. In those 14 years that have come and gone, I have served four principals, two athletic directors and hundreds of cheerleaders. I was given an opportunity to build a program and make it my own. Over the years my teams earned countless trophies at camps and competitions, we earned a few Nevada state titles and even regional title in California, I was chosen as coach of the year, and we had kids cheer in college and at the national level. We participated in rent parties, parades, festivals, marriage proposals, and countless community events. I have seen kids go on to college, military, get married, have babies, and travel the world. The memories are immeasurable and currently leaking out my eyes…

On a personal level, I survived a marriage and divorce, a second marriage, a beautiful daughter, and will earn a degree. I have learned patience and the art of working with parents. I learned the importance of low power mode on my phone when taking bus trips and the value of a blanket and soft-sided med kit (pillow). I came to love the quirkiness of Sparks High School and its facilities. The history of the Brickhouse and why we affectionately refer to it as the brick-oven during basketball games. Most importantly I have joined a family. The people of Sparks High school have become some of my dearest friends. They have supported me in good years and bad and have seen me grow up from that pain in the butt 20-something to the pain in the butt 30-something I am today. The support and friendship that I have are priceless.

Walking away from a program that took over a decade to build is the hardest thing I have ever done. It was time for me to go, but there are so many things I am going to miss being a coach. I love my kids, all 700-ish of them. They have made me a better person, and through the blood sweat and tears, we have all made the Sparks Cheer Program incredible.

As I transition from Head Coach to Athletic Secretary and Spectator, I know the program is in good hands, and I desperately hope that the traditions we have created will carry on and the memories of my athletes are as meaningful to them as they are to me.

“Once a Railroader, Always a Railroader.”

Education Stupor

Not everyone is destined to have a college education.
I am not a “smart” person, but I am an intelligent person. I have always struggled to learn out of a book; I am terrible with dates and names and even worse with Algebra. I do however read people and situations well, and I am resourceful enough to make things work. I think fast on my feet and can learn on the job or in the middle of a situation. I am clever and witty. Being college-educated is a different kind of "smart.” A college education opens doors and gives the illusion of higher pay and more opportunities. But at what cost?

I started my college journey in 2004. In the 15 years since I started attending college classes, I have changed my major five times. Some of those changes were due to an honest misunderstanding of the curriculum and what came after graduation, and some were due to my not being “smart” enough to complete what it would take to earn the degree. Often, I had a passion for a class and a good grasp on the skills needed, but not the ability to complete the course-work to the instructor’s standards. Some of my degree changes were blessings. There were also a few that broke my heart. I understand that the “real world” is not going to be like it is in college and I understand that much of what you learn in college is merely learning how to learn. There is nothing more discouraging than having a passion for something and being told that you really should pursue other options, or having an instructor tell you that perhaps college is just not meant for you. In the Fall of 2017, I took a leap and started taking classes after a 5-year hiatus with the hope of working toward a bachelor’s degree. I took a full class load because we had the money to go forward at the time. I completed one semester, and because life has a funny way of sending you messages in cryptic ways, we could not afford for me to attend the consecutive semester. This winter I did some research and discovered that I could take one class and potentially earn an Associates Degree in general studies. I decided to take the one class and secure the Associates Degree so that I would not lose the credits I had earned to date. What I wasn’t prepared for was the negativity from both the instructors and the students. I was treated inferior in many classes and often had instructors make comments that made me feel as though I should not be trying to finish my degree. I know that I am not an idiot, and to date, I carry a 3.65 GPA with many classes at the honors level, but the feeling of inadequacy is there. I know that with the large amounts of people attending college now, instructors feel the need to weed out those students who don’t have the drive or passion to pursue a specific area. I am frustrated at these same instructors who do not nurture those students who have an honest interest in the course, the course-work, the potential to earn a degree in that field. I don’t feel that belittling your students or gearing your classes in a way that makes people despise the subject matter is appropriate. After 15 years of taking college classes, I can say that I will earn, at minimum, an associate’s degree, but I will also say that the last 15 years have been a complete waste of time and money. The amount of debt required to attend classes is staggering. The amount of heart-ache and stress that I have put myself through to live up to a standard that I was not meant for is sickening. To those who have managed to secure degrees at the Associates, Bachelors, Masters, and the Doctoral level, congratulations. Please don’t look down on those of us without a college degree. Your level of education doesn’t make you superior, and my lack of “higher” education doesn’t mean that I am inferior or deserve less.

Let it go

Don't hold onto your past so much you forget to enjoy the present and look forward to the future. There really are some things that will keep you from living your best life. If your BEST memories are from high school, then maybe you should take a look at your life and find something to make new great memories. I did enjoy parts of high school, but I'm glad it's over. I enjoyed my twenties, but I'm glad they're over. My thirties had their ups and downs, but still, some of my best memories came out of that era. As I look down the barrel to 40, I'm excited for a new chapter and new memories.

New year, new path

HAPPY NEW YEAR!
I think that most everyone is letting out a sigh of relief that 2018 is over. It will forever be the year that everyone was offended and opinionated. I truly hope that 2019 will be the year of healing and self-care. I know my family needs it. I plan to make some huge changes in 2019, step out of my comfort zone, and refocus my attention on my family and our lives. My life is my own and I plan to take over and become a better version of me. I need to complete some very important goals that may seem insignificant to others but have held me captive for a very long time.

I have one class left to finish up an associate’s degree and move toward my goal of graduation. I registered for that class last week and plan to check that goal off my list by graduating in May. This will open more doors for me and my future, it will also make the path to my bachelor’s degree easier.

The most important change will be my retirement from coaching. This year I will finish up my 24th year overall as a coach. With the closing of the 2019 Track season, I will be taking a step down from my post as the Head Cheer Coach at Sparks. I have spent 14 amazing years at Sparks high school with the best administration, staff, and students anyone could ask for. I have had some amazing accomplishments in my coaching career, and share some of my fondest memories. I feel that it is time to let someone else take the reins and make the Sparks Cheer program their own. I will dearly miss my athletes and the actual coaching at practices, but its time for someone else to worry about tryouts, spirit packs, fundraisers, away games, scheduling, travel, and grade checks. I would love to progress to the next level and coach college, but for now, I will take a break and recharge. Thank you for supporting me as a coach for all these years!

Best of luck to you all in 2019! I know it will be a year to remember!

Happy Birthday to Me!

Birthdays between the ages of 27 and 40 have always just been birthdays. We celebrate a whole year of adulting and trying to maintain that we are responsible for ourselves and our tiny humans.

I have to say, because of my amazing friends and family the 18th annual celebration of the 21st birthday was pretty awesome! I got out of bed today thinking that I didn’t feel a year older and wondering what the day had in store. But the amount of wonderful birthday wishes and good-natured razzing I received today reminded me that birthdays are a nice way to remember the year and look forward to the next one. I have met so many fantastic people in the last year and continued friendships with some of the best people on earth. I’m blessed to have the best job in the world with the best coworkers and students. I have a beautiful daughter and a loving family. I’m grateful for all of them. 

Thank you all. 💕😘

I must admit though, at 10:00pm on a Tuesday... I do feel a year older.

Friday Nights

In the fall, each long week culminates with Friday Night Lights. 

Each Friday night at some point I experience a moment of total calm. Everything gets quiet in my mind and my heart is at peace. Tonight it was during the national anthem. Standing on the sidelines between the cheerleaders and the band. Seeing the football boys stand proudly and ROTC on the field with the Stars and Stripes. I know in those moments I am home. I’m where I’m supposed to be and doing what I’m supposed to do. It’s what I never knew I wanted to be when I grew up. Sometimes the weeks are hard, the job is hard and the hours are long. But it’s always worth it. 

To the kids who’ve shared their lives with me and the kids who challenge me to be the best coach I can for them. Thank you. Thank you for all of it.

On The Track... Again

This has become my spring...Again. 

Coaching all 4 jumping events is ridiculously complicated and pushing me out of my comfort zone, but so rewarding! Long Jump, Triple Jump, High Jump, and Pole Vault. 

I have some pretty awesome kids who give their all each weekend. 

This weekend we had a tied PR in the high jump and 3 new PR’s in Triple! I came home sunburned and wind-burned and freezing cold, but really it was one of the best Saturday’s I have had in a long time.

Thank you to my husband who I know is living vicariously through me giving me tips and drills. Thank you to Coach K and Coach Leo for always being there to help me and my kids learn. Glad to be on the track again with some pretty great coaches! Thank you to Brad and Troy for putting up with me!