What are some of your favorite memories from GHS?
Beating LOYOLA of course. It was such a tough loss the year before and I would be lying if I said I was really confident going into that final match-up. Luckily the Coaches and Zolper had enough confidence for all of us and we had a whole year to prepare. I was still intimidated by Olga...what can I say??
Another favorite memory was just being accepted my freshman year and everyone being so welcoming. Seeing my warm-ups in my locker for the first time, Molly calling me to congratulate me, all of the high-fives from upper classman and really just everyone making me feel at home as a skinny insecure freshman. I had no idea how much their support would mold me into the player I later became.
There were two hiccups that I was mortified about. One was my grandma Pat started sewing these fake Nike signs on all of my clothes and one day Jess Thompson noticed that that swoosh was not legit and called me out in front of everyone HAHA. By then I was comfortable enough to laugh it off but still embarrassing. Second, I was at Michigan camp my freshman year and I had brought a can of fish as a snack. I was eating it my room and it started stinking up the hallway. I heard a senior (she was scary too and I won't name her) yell, who the "F" is eating fish. I got nervous and threw the can out the window but there was a roof about five feet down so it just landed right outside my window. All week it sat in the sun and got worse. I was so scared someone would find out it was me.
HANDS DOWN MY FAVORITE MEMORIES was finding my dad after every game. He passed from cancer in 2013 but we spent so many late nights practicing when I was in elementary and in junior high. Coach RC Jones and my dad pushed me harder than I could ever imagine mentally and phsically. I remember coming home from playing against the Abington boys at Lombard to my dad telling me to go back outside because "I am going to make you the greatest girls basketball player to ever come out of Galesburg." We would play all night and l would literally cry because he blocked my shot so much. After games, he would always hang back in the shadows but seeing him and my mom after a big win was always the best feeling ever.
What did you do after graduation?
After HS - Attended SIUE and received my undergrad. I migrated to St. Louis and have been here ever since. I have a son who is 19 named Jordan (of course after MJ) and an 11 yr old daughter named Ali. Jordan is 6'3 and picked up basketball later in life and Ali rides horses. My brother moved here as well and has three kids and my sister lives on the Illinois side with her husband and three kids. We all spend a ton of time together and come back to visit my mom (Linda Lewis) and step dad (Neils Lewis) who still live in Galesburg.
What has your career been?
I have been in sales for about 25 years. The last several years, I have been with an LA based software company called Service Titan. The company IPO'd back in December so it was exciting to be a part of that. In addition, my sister (Traci Larson/Rueter) and my brother in law (Tyler Rueter) started investing in real estate and have since acquired several properties in Galesburg including the Sears Building, Four Seasons and parts of Seminary Street. We love that we were able to take our passion for real estate investing and do that in our hometown!
What advice would you have for today’s Streaks athletes?
I would give: NEVER underestimate the impact you can have on a person's life by going out of your way to make them feel included. This was a gift that the Galesburg Silver Streaks gave me at a young age. Coach Massey and the coaching staff having faith in me to bring me on as a freshman when I had no idea how to push myself that hard. The upper classmen just being so accepting or just hearing Woody, Pendy or Watson say "Larson" would build me up. All of it was surreal and it’s only looking back that I can see how much work was put in by the coaching staff, the media, the parents, the fans. It was truly something I will never wrap my head around and you had to be there to know (as the kids say iykyk!!).
I have been immensely blessed with all the people God has put in my life and all of the experiences I have had. I learned the second half of my life that if I keep my eyes on Christ then all my needs are met. He was working in my life WAY before I found him. Matthew 6:33 - Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.In addition; Much Love - Sarah Larson (Storky).
Streaks Basketball Alums….help me out….
If you earned a varsity letter in girls or boys basketball at GHS- I would really like to include you in “Streaks Basketball Alumni Spotlight.” If you want to be included in the “Streaks Basketball Alumni Spotlight,” simply answer the questions below. (Note- if you are a female who played varsity basketball in the 1970’s before GHS gave females varsity letters- please jump in!!) Either text or email your responses and pictures to addresses below.
1- What year did you graduate?
2- What was your favorite class (classes), favorite teacher (teachers)?
3- What are a few of your favorite memories from GHS?
4- What did you do right after high school?
5- Where and what did you do for a career?
6- Share as much as you want of what you are doing now- still working, where are you, family, etc.
7- What advice would you have for today’s Silver Streak athletes?
If you have pictures from high school, send them OR I will get some pictures from yearbooks from when you were in school. Could you send me a picture of yourself or your family now?
Simple either text me at 309-368-0008, or email me at emass70@yahoo.com
No comments:
Post a Comment