Coupeville Sports

Birthday folks (clockwise, from left) Haley Sherman, Carmen McFadyen (and grandchildren) and Brian Shank.

They are the diversity of Coupeville.

Three parts of Wolf Nation, all making impacts in different ways, and all celebrating birthdays today.

Brian Shank is the newbie, a multi-sport athlete (football, basketball, track, tennis) who arrived in town from Utah two years ago when his father, Dr. Jim Shank, became Coupeville’s new superintendent.

An easy-going guy with a quick grin, he, like older brother Matt and younger sister Ashlie, immediately fit in, making friends and becoming an integral part of the school sports scene.

Whether he’s lofting three-point bombs for the Wolves or goofing off with his teammates, he wears the red and black with class.

Carmen McFadyen is the Godmother, a powerful, highly-respected leader in the community, and, someone who tries her best to get me to show respect to all in my writing.

I may not always follow her advice, but I would be smarter if I did.

She has already given Coupeville two standout athletes in son Jason and daughter Aleshia, and has four rambunctious grandchildren who will likely blaze their own bright athletic futures.

Plus, she’s married to Jack McFadyen, a personal favorite of mine since my early days at Videoville.

So, she’s got that going for her too, which is nice.

Our third honoree of the day is a young woman who, simply put, IS Coupeville.

Haley Sherman is connected at the roots to this town, and every time she played volleyball or softball for CHS, her personal cheering section was comprised of a lot of the men and women who have made Coupeville what it is today.

Proud of her heritage, Haley was a talented athlete and a better person. She possesses a radiance that is rare and it has never dimmed, through good times and bad.

This trio, united by their birthday and the town they call home, represent some of the best of what Coupeville has to offer.

They have lived different lives, accomplished different things, but all three represent us extremely well. We’re lucky as a community to claim them all.

Happy birthday and thank you.