32 years
Current position: Admissions Coordinator at Sioux Falls Children’s Home

Tell us about your family.

• I met my husband Jae here at CHS. 
• We have 2 kids. My daughter Katelyn lives in Dallas, and my son Kyle graduated from SDSU last spring. 
• 2 cats. Millie and Moe. When we had our house fire last summer I thought we had lost them. Millie is a serious ‘scardy cat’. Moe was no bigger than a bottle of water. Now he weighs 21 lbs and sits on his throne. 

If you could do anything you want on a day off, what would you do? 
Shop at an Outlet Mall or watch movies in my pajamas.

What are your 3 favorite movies?
I used to love going to movies, and then I met Jae (a former RTC/Overnight TC at SFCH). Now we watch Sports Center instead!

What is your favorite sports team?
Chicago Bears

What is your favorite treat?
Ice cream

What are some of the biggest changes you have seen over your years with CHS?
Wow. This is hard. I believe it’s the things that stayed the same that are what makes this place special. I guess the biggest change is the physical appearance of our campus. This really dates me, but I have seen all the buildings built or remodeled. Just the way we go about doing this has evolved to such a high level. The kids we see today really benefit from coming to CHS. Watching this agency grow has been an amazing journey. 

Do you have a memory or two that stand out from your time with CHS?
When I was called to set up my job interview with CHS, the gentlemen gave me these directions… (there were no Google maps)

• From 10^th street turn north onto Sycamore Avenue.
• When the road “ends” (curves) keep going…onto the gravel road. The driveway will be on your left.

What has been your reason/motivation to stay at CHS?
The people. Watching truly great people work with amazing kids is a privilege. To call those people friends is a gift.

If you hadn’t chosen this as a career, what would have been your second choice?  
I started college as a nursing student, and then took Organic and Bio Chemistry. Nope, nursing was not for me.

What advice would you have for newly hired employees?
Never get so grown up that making a mess isn’t fun anymore.

CHS taught me to be a better parent. Becoming a parent taught me to be a better staff member at CHS. I was never going to stay long enough to be the person that talked about the kids that used to be here. Now I absolutely enjoy hearing back from kids that call back to see who is still here, wanting a tour, telling stories of being here, feeling loved, getting help. Being successful.