By Derrick Smith

Coaches play a big role in the lives of the student athletes that they are in charge of. Not only do they teach them about the sport that they play, they also help them work to become a better athlete overall  and they also can serve as a mentor and role model. Paden Pasby says that coaches have played a big role in her development. “I have a few people that have made big impacts on my life,” she said. “My parents have always been involved in my athletic career, encouraging and cheering for me to do my best. Without them, I probably would not have even considered participating in sports. My coaches are another big part of my athletic career. Coach Burns is without a doubt my biggest influence. He will always push me to my limits no matter what and has supported me in my lowest and highest moments in my career. Coach Savage has coached me in basketball and track through my middle school and high school years at Chisholm. He has always supported me and has been one of my biggest fans. I consider Coach Savage as a part of my family and as one of my idols. He never lets me quit or give up on myself even when I want to. It is because of him that I am the athlete I am today.”

Pasby is a senior at Chisholm High School. She plays second base for the Lady Horns softball team and on the track team, she runs the 4×100 relay, the 100 yard dash, and competes in the pole vault. Outside of sports, she is also a member of the National Honor Society, Internship II, and the student council. 

Paden has put in a lot of hard work in order to become the athlete that she is and she says that it takes more than just physical work.  “I have put in a lot of hard work over the years,” she said. “But I have also had the determination to be successful and a competitive drive to win. All of that combined is what has helped me along the way.”