Today’s Streaks Alumni Profile is with Maddy Ross from the class of 2015.
In high school, Maddy was somebody who added to every sport she played, every activity she was involved in, and every classroom. She has energy, enthusiasm, strong work-ethic, and humility.
In basketball, whether she played a little or played a lot, she was “all-in” for her team and her teammates.
Maddy has always had a positive impact on the world!
Sports and activities at GHS…
Girl basketball, Girls Volleyball, yearbook club
Favorite teachers and classes…
One of my favorite teachers was Ms. Qualls, she always had a unique ability to engage everyone for the entirety of the class- which was impressive for it being 85 minutes, her class always felt like a breath of fresh air. One of my favorite classes would have to be Advanced PE, it was nice to also have a class with other athletes that played sports, the competitiveness was always fun and exciting.
Some favorite memories growing up in Galesburg…
I think some of my favorite memories growing up in Galesburg would have to of been being so close to all my cousins and family. There were always things for us to do as kids. My brothers & I spent many summers at the boys and girls club— which sparks tons of memories from lake storey days to lakeside days and just hanging out at carver center. We also went skating a ton on Friday nights.
Some of my favorite high school memories would have to have been anything involving the sports that I was involved in. To this day my favorite summer camp trip was the trip to North Carolina, my freshman year for their girls basketball camp and getting to stay in a dorm room for the first time— playing on the old ‘gym’ floor & also seeing the museum they have down there for Micheal Jordan— all the summer basketball trips I remember to this day, which is funny because I remember someone telling us that these are the trips we will remember in 5/10 years and I had no idea that, yes that would be true.
Another memory would be the day Obama came to the high school would have been my sophomore year of high-school. We were taking year book photos for volleyball and everyone was saying Obama was in town however no one believed it— I never got to meet him that day, but the experience around it and hearing from my peers their experience was still pretty cool.
All the Meet the Streaks, the Homecoming games, even the Thursday night girls home games for varsity. I remember watching all through middle school the band, the excitement, the packed gyms, then getting to play on those Thursday nights, won’t forget em.
Education after GHS…
After high school I attended Carl Sandburg College and attained my AA degree. Then I transferred to SIUE down in Edwardsville and graduated with my Bachelors of Science in 2020.
What are doing today?
Today I live down in Georgia, I made the move to the south about three years ago. I love it down here the winters are a lot less brutal & the food is amazing. I currently work a corporate or ‘big girl job’ as the kids would say these days doing payroll. I also love fitness and wellness. I document my journey online and the goal is to one day be an online fitness coach and help other women and men achieve their goals.
Advice to today’s GHS students / athletes…
The biggest piece of advice that I would give students/athletes is to enjoy the moment. Be where your feet are. I know everyone has probably told you, these days ‘fly by’ but it’s true. Some of the people I spent everyday with in high school, I cannot tell you the last time I have seen them in person… so enjoy every moment— you don’t get these days back.
Sign up for everything, try everything, even if you don’t think you’ll like it, you never know, you might. I never gave myself that chance in high school or college so definitely put yourself out there and don’t be afraid to fail or make mistakes.
Have fun! I think a lot of people get focused on the end goal that they forget the journey really can be the best part— so enjoy the moment, have fun, you will make mistakes, you will fail, but trust me, you will get right back up again.
And lastly, be yourself.. your crowd, the right people will find you— it is 100% okay to not fit in with everyone or be like everyone else, that is what makes you- you.
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