Cherie, Willie, and Ashley Smith.
This one is for her hero.
Coupeville administrators are proposing numerous budget cuts, with one flashpoint being the idea of stripping Athletic Director duties from Willie Smith and giving them to an assistant principal whose own job will be cut from 216 days to 200.
Numerous other AD’s across the state have spoken out against the plan (and there are more to come), but now Ashley Smith is adding her thoughts to the conversation.
She is Willie’s niece and was raised by him and wife Cherie.
Normally I never feel the need to be protective over my family but think this time I should be.
To the community he is known as Willie Smith while others call him Mr. Smith.
But for me it’s hero, protector, the idol, but most of all, father.
Wasn’t always father; at nine years old I was to go into foster care, but my uncle said “No, I want her; we want her. So, she can stay in the family I will take that role.”
It’s a challenge adopting a child. But he was willing to become the dad I never had.
At the time he was raising three other kids while doing multiple roles – teaching middle school history and gym, coaching high school football and baseball, and, last but not least, athletic director.
My dad had community to help with raising me; so many people took me in like I had been part of its community for years.
Why? Because Mr. Willie Smith has helped raised more than just his kids, but the communities kids through his roles.
He went to college, got a master’s degree at WSU, started teaching at Coupeville while coaching with my mother Cherie Smith.
So how can outsiders come in saying they know what’s best for this community, but then remove Mr. Smith?
Growing up he taught not just his own kids but the community’s children to show sportsmanship on or off the field.
That even if you win or lose, you show respect to the opposing team.
That hard work pays off to get you back up when knocked down.
Being held accountable for your actions means you give academics first priority before sports.
Sometimes you slack, but my father reminds us that if you don’t get passing grades you won’t respect showing up for your team when it’s time to do so.
You have to show character; this means not being bullies or breaking rules.
My siblings and I were held to this very standard.
My father has taught that being an athlete is important.
That it helps builds friendships, gives you coaches who will push you to thrive for better, to understand to achieve goals you have to hold balance in academics like you would in a job.
It builds character.
My dad sacrificed so much to build this department.
He is the strongest person — your kids need him to model the path so they can succeed no matter what and no one is left out; anyone can play sports.
It would be a big mistake to remove my father as athletic director, to pass it off again to another assistant principal.
It’s a 24/7 job being the public figure of the sports program.
Willie Smith has taken something and evolved it to something that is recognized not just in Coupeville but around the state.
He has gained the respect, trust, and love of the people around.
By showing up to every home game to fighting for new improved sports fields, track, and gear.
To making sure that we get the ability to compete with bigger schools.
To making sure there are equal sports for girls and boys.
During Covid-19 he made sure students still got to play sports, while putting safety first.
Without my father there are no Coupeville sports.
So, I ask the community he’s done so much for now help make sure that outsiders don’t cut his job.
Sports or extracurricular activities help students get better grades.
Participating in extracurricular activities exposes students to new people, including classmates, teachers, coaches, and community leaders.
This allows students to build and maintain relationships, which can lead to valuable connections and opportunities in the future.
So, by cutting or budgeting that field it will cause bigger struggles on students’ abilities.
When you think it’s not up to us as a community, you’re wrong.
Our voices matter; your children’s voices matter.
If they cut his role, then your kids will lose more then you realize.
Write letters to the superintendent and school board, go to meetings, go and support the man who paved the way so all generations before and now those to come will succeed and have the opportunities to reach for the skies.
To find confidence, to build memories, to gain life changing skills that will carry them far in life.
My dad became my hero first, but he became other’s hero too.
No matter where I go, people know my family and my father.
I am proud to be his legacy, but I am also proud to see the legacy he’s created, which will be remembered decades after.
To a man who I love very much and am proud to be your daughter, this is to you.
And this goes out to those in my community — please remember your voice matters.
You have a say in matters of the education of your children — who goes or stays to help them.
Don’t let my dad’s sacrifice and devotion go to waste.
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