Shawn (Evrard) Christensen (left) and Sylvia Arnold during high school cheer days.
The cheerleader all grown up, and bringing up her own daughters.
Shawn Christensen is one of my favorite people.
From our days working together back at Videoville and Miriam’s Espresso to now, as she raises her two daughters with husband Billy, she has always been, and always will be, a truly special woman.
She has endured much and stayed strong and retains the warmth and friendliness which has always flowed out of her like a ray of sunshine.
A huge part of what she is, and what she has become, she credits to her time as a Coupeville High School cheerleader. As we remember Sylvia Arnold, who is retiring Friday after 20 years as Wolf coach, I offer Shawn’s beautiful thoughts on her coach, mentor and friend:
Sylvia Arnold has a magnetism.
She pulls you in and builds you up, and you are forever changed because your paths crossed.
I was on her team, but she was my cheerleader. She built me up in such an inspiring way, I had no choice but to rise to her expectations.
I am a better leader now because of Sylvia. I am a better mother, a better friend, a better wife, all because she chose to guide me.
When Sylvia coached me, she had three little kids at home (actually Brett was in the womb) and I was a typical rebelling teenager.
But I was passionate about cheering. I showed up, I smiled, I laughed, I did my best.
Sylvia started grooming me at the end of my freshman year.
She didn’t invest in me just while on the clock, she would invite me over to hang out. She involved me in every way that she could, keeping me out of trouble.
I can’t tell you how many life-changing conversations I had in her kitchen, eating goldfish crackers with her kids. Or on the phone, and Garrett so generous to let me talk to his wife for hours after she tucked her kids in to bed.
It’s been 14 years since I graduated, and I still know her phone number by heart, we talked that much.
And her family! They were just as welcoming.
Never annoyed when I was calling, always patient and kind when I needed Sylvia. Her kids, her parents, and Garrett. The most loving and selfless people I had ever known.
Without their support, she would not have been able to do it all.
She held me accountable when I was slipping. She called me out on bad attitudes. She did it in such a loving way, I could actually hear what she was saying, instead of deflecting or becoming defensive.
She inspired me. She encouraged my personal growth, and loved me in spite of my flaws. She held my hand in joy and sorrow.
All of this, and for what? The small paycheck she received from the school? No way.
She poured into the kids in our community with a fierce passion and love that isn’t inspired by a paycheck.
She was more than a coach. Sylvia was the heart of our squad.
Her impact in my life can never be repaid. Instead, I pay it forward. I serve in my community, in my church, and in my family.
And I am just one of the hundreds she has taken under her wing. Think of how many communities are better for the seeds of compassion and love that Sylvia planted in the hearts of her teams, year after year.
Sylvia’s legacy will live on forever.
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