Blendale
To me North Chicago is home. I’ve been here since I was four months old; originally from Gibson, Mississippi. My father had a couple uncles who were here and he came before and got everything prepared, then my mother and I followed. We lived right over there on 20th street.
I moved back two years ago after ten years in Jackson, Mississippi. At first I was in Lake Bluff, and now I live in the same North Chicago neighborhood my dad had a house in. I finally have my own house over there. So I'm excited about that.
What has it been like to move back and reestablish yourself?
I thought I wouldn't be missed when I left, but that was totally not the case. I was embraced just like I had never left. It means everything to come back home and it was like I was never gone.
Being able to come back into the community and work with the kids— I've always been a youth cheer coach. I've coached over here with the Flames…over at North Chicago High School… I coached one year for Waukegan Bulldogs…
How did you first decide to be a cheer coach?
Watching parades and the drill teams– North Chicago was like the hub of all drill teams. They had a huge competition here every year and everyone would come in from around the country just to perform here.
I watched the cheerleaders practice when I was a little girl and it was like "I want to do that!" I was able to be a North Chicago cheerleader and was actually the captain over there my senior year. If I felt like that when I was a kid, I know there's some girls out here that feel like that too, and I just want them to get the same opportunity that I had to participate. Being a coach is amazing— just being able to participate and give back.
A lot of people and young ladies know you as a coach. What else are you, or should you be known for?
A lot of people don't remember, but I'm sure they would if I mentioned that I play classical piano. I've played since I was three and a half years old. I actually competed for my college scholarship and won first place at nationals in DC.
Do you still play piano?
I haven't played in a long time. I'm a little rusty, but I play by ear. I can read music, but I can sit down and listen, and then play what I hear.
You mentioned your five children. Other than them, what are you most proud of?
Being able to return to school after many years, raising kids, but going back and finishing my bachelor's degree and my master's degree at Jackson State University; in accounting. Yeah, I'm all over the place… and yeah, I got a good story...
This conversation has been edited and condensed.