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A career is more than numbers; but Sharon Van Atten's are impressive

By Melissa McClendon, The Daily Times, Pryor, Okla. on

Published in Senior Living Features

ADAIR -- In 30 years, she has coached at least 240 cheerleaders.

She's attended 300 football games.

She's watched 780 basketball games.

She conducted 930 cheer practices.

She has organized 60 homecomings and 15 proms.

In her spare time, Sharon Van Atten has taught 3,600

students.

At the end of the school year, Van Atten, affectionately known as Ms. Van, will retire from the Adair school district.

"I've got some great memories," Van Atten said.

Van Atten has been a fixture at Adair High School.

"I do so many things other than cheerleading," Van Atten said.

But cheerleading is a place where Van Atten has left a mark; just as cheerleading has left its mark on her.

"I don't single out any particular cheerleader because they are each special in their own way. All of the cheerleaders, when they leave they get a note from me. They know they are one of Ms. Van's girls," Van Atten said. "Each squad is different. This squad is one of the best I've ever had. There's no drama. For me to go out with a squad ... this is the best."

Van Atten has dedicated her days, nights and weekends to helping the cheerleaders. During football season, she may only get one night a week to go home right after school.

"I'm a coach and that's just part of it," Van Atten said.

Another part of her cheerleading sponsor job has been fundraising. Van Atten and the cheerleaders host a one day cheer clinic in the spring and sell T-shirts during the different sports seasons to raise money for cheer costs. Van Atten works with someone to design the shirts then sells them through orders at the school.

"Kids who can't buy shirts might find one in their locker," Van Atten said. "We try to give back and help where we can."

Part of her duties is helping organize football and basketball homecomings.

"Some are very stressful. Some are very easy. As long as the girls were happy and looked beautiful ... whatever the queen wants, we do," Van Atten said.

Van Atten has been frugal over the last 30 years. She often gets donations to keep the cost of homecomings to a minimum. She also uses left over decorations from proms and other homecomings.

Van Atten takes care of

|senior night paperwork and makes statistics sheets for Coach Brad Rogers.

 

"It's going to be hard. I've been telling Mr. Collins I'm going to charge him $25 every time he calls," Van Atten joked.

Teaching was the reason she came to Adair and teaching remains her highest priority.

"After 30 years of teaching, you know what works and what doesn't," Van Atten said.

Over the years, she has taught seventh through 12th grades. Mostly she has taught freshman and sophomore English. She has also taught typing, Oklahoma history, government and world history.

"My favorite was freshman and junior English," Van Atten said. "I love junior lit because of my background in history."

Van Atten's love of reading stems from her childhood. As a young girl, she had a learning disability.

"I can't hear phonetic sound," Van Atten said.

Her father helped her to learn to read by site. He also gave her a love of books.

"I always wanted to be a teacher, even in high school I knew that," Van Atten said. "Teaching is the most important reason I am here. This has been a blessing. This is my home. This is my family. It's been a great journey and I wouldn't change it for the world."

As a teacher, Van Atten said she never wanted to leave Adair for another district.

"When you're at the best there's no where to go," Van Atten said.

Through the years, Van Atten has witnessed many historical events for the school. She said she was there when the girls basketball team won its first state championship and she helped put together a prom with nothing but left over decorations after a fire swept through one of the school gymnasiums.

She has won awards and been honored in different ways, including being named honorary FFA member in 1991 and Teacher of the Year in 1996.

"She's put in over 30 years. You just don't replace those people," said High School Principal Clifton Collins. "She put her heart and soul into this school s system. She'll be dearly missed. We all love her."

After retiring, Van Atten said she doesn't have any big plans to travel.

"I traveled enough in the Navy," Van Atten said.

She does plan to spend time with her daughter and grandchildren. Jacque Burns and husband Larry live in the Coweta area and have four children, Shelby, Alex, Sydney and Jaxson.

To see more of The Daily Times or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.pryordailytimes.com.

Copyright (c) 2011, The Daily Times, Pryor, Okla.

Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. For more information about the content services offered by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services (MCT), visit www.mctinfoservices.com.


(c) The Daily Times, Pryor, Okla.

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