Sue Anne Williams
Where are
you from?
Grew up in Clackamas and Canby now live in Wilsonville
Family?
Rob is my husband, Trevar 15, Tate 9, True and Vivian 3 months old
COACHING LIFE
Number
of years you’ve coached?
Going on 24 years
What teams
have you coached / worked with?
Ashland, Sherwood and Clackamas
What is your
current involvement in the DDCA?
I am an assistant coach at Clackamas, on the Board of Directors.
Awards or
achievements you’ve earned?
Coach of the Year 2002. Placed in the top 4 every year with the exception
of 4 years.
What keeps
you involved in dance team?
I love coaching the kids. I love to motivate them and help them realize
that anything is possible on and off the court.
What is your
least favorite thing about dance team?
Honestly, the victim mentality that many coaches have. Where there is
a will there is a way, I have proven that over and over again.
How would
you define success in coaching a dance team?
When you have done your best, and your kids have done their best. . .
that is success!
Best coaching
advice?
Don’t take yourself too seriously. Look at yourself from others
perspectives. Don’t romanticize your program too much. . . it will
eat you up. And most of all don’t be married to your team.
What would
you suggest avoiding as a coach? / What have you learned from your mistakes?
Keeping all info to yourself. The more that you can share with your team,
parents and administration the more they will support you and leave you
to do what you are best at. COACH! Don’t try to be the kid’s
friend! You are their coach first! You can be their friend after they
graduate!
What do you
feel your strengths are?
Motivation. Getting inside their heads. Strategy against other teams.
. .sizing up their weaknesses and playing on our strengths.
Suggestions
on how to come up with a theme or music?
Ideas are everywhere! Don’t limit yourself. . .get out there and
experience life. . .you can find themes in everything you do.
What kind
of music usually inspires you?
No type really. Just has to strike a chord with me. . .
What was
your favorite coaching moment?
Too many to list. The best is when a student or parent tells me that I
helped to get their son or daughter to graduate and stay in school. That
is the best.
Most embarrassing
dance team moment?
I don’t think I need to put it in writing. . .if you want to know
I will tell you in person!
Is there
another DDCA member you don’t know, but admire?
I know most of the members, unless you are brand new. I try to get to
know everyone. I have a lot of admiration for most of our coaches!
HISTORY’S MYSTERIES
Were you
on dance team in high school? Where? When?
I was a Canby Kickin’ Kitten my sophomore year only. 1982-83
Fondest memory
from your time on dance team?
Dancing at the Gladstone Competition
Any dance
team honors or awards / achievements?
I got best showmanship! Shocker huh?
Most embarrassing
dance team moment?
Walking into our upstairs gym during morning practice and all the wrestling
teams that came to our invitational were weighing in and they were all
naked! NICE!
Do you have
any other dance experience?
I was in a dance studio from the age of 3-15 studying Jazz and Hula. Also
studied in College at SOSC Modern and Tap.
LET’S GET PERSONAL
Job other
than coaching?
Fundraising with Nicholson Productions
If money
were no object, what would you do with your life?
I would travel a lot to Mexico. . .Buy a home in Puerto Vallarta
What do you
do to relax and deal with stress?
Play backgammon on computer and nap. Go for walks with the girls.
In general,
do you consider yourself shy or outgoing?
OUTGOING
How would
a good friend describe you?
Loyal
How would
your dance team describe you?
Fun, passionate, inspiring
What book
would you suggest everybody read?
Anything by Nicholas Sparks
What movie
or TV show do you find yourself quoting the most?
The American President.
What CD (or MP3 collection) would your friends be surprised that you own? Missy Elliott
What would
your team be surprised to know about you?
That I like to be by myself.
Anything
else you’d like to share?
Nope, this is a great idea!!!!
Jeanne Maddox Peterson
Where are
you from?
Astoria, Oregon and Seaside, Oregon
Family?
Husband, three grown daughters, five grandsons
COACHING LIFE
Number of
years you’ve coached?
19
What teams
have you coached / worked with?
Astoria
What is your
current involvement in the DDCA?
Coaching, have judged All-State twice
Awards or
achievements you’ve earned?
Coach of the Year 2001, Business and Professional Women’s Club,
Golden Torch State Award, Junior Citizen of the Year, in 1963!!!!!!! Producer
of the Miss Oregon, Miss California, and choreographer /assistant producer
Miss America, for a total of 32 years
What keeps
you involved in dance team?
Started coaching when my youngest daughter was a sophomore, in 1989, and
just continued because of the love of seeing what the dancers can accomplish,
not only as dancers, but as young, organized, disciplined, motivated individuals.
What is your
least favorite thing about dance team?
Driving home late at night in the stormy weather (20 miles)
How would
you define success in coaching a dance team?
Knowing that my team is happy, their parents are happy, the school respects
them and their abilities…
Best coaching
advice?
Stick to your rules, no exceptions! Remaining their coach and mentor,
not trying to be one of them
What would
you suggest avoiding as a coach? / What have you learned from your mistakes?
Give everyone a chance, do not short-change any team member, even the
least experienced team member can pull through and make you proud
What do you
feel your strengths are?
Organization, disciplined, never say never!
Suggestions
on how to come up with a theme or music?
Usually, 90% of the time the team does it!
What kind
of music usually inspires you?
The strong, showy, full sounds!
What was
your favorite coaching moment?
When I receive Christmas, Birthday cards from the team, who write such
wonderful things, and after they have given their 110% in a performance!
We all cry!
Most embarrassing
dance team moment?
Can’t think of any, actually!
Is there
another DDCA member you don’t know, but admire?
Lots I do not know…and I admire all of them for the job they each
do!
HISTORY’S MYSTERIES
Were you
on dance team in high school? Where? When?
Cheerleader at Star Of the Sea High School in Astoria
Fondest memory
from your time on dance team?
Loved cheerleading, there was not a dance team then…not saying how
many years ago!
Do you have
any other dance experience?
Teaching dance for 58 years…have trained over 2,000 dancers.
LET’S GET PERSONAL
Job other
than coaching?
Teaching in my school (58 years), taught ballet for Clatsop Community
College (23 years), used to have a guest spot on “Jeri’s Journal”…an
afternoon TV show on channel 12, teaching ballet, choreographed the Miss
America USO shows for Europe and Asia. My husband and I own Hughes-Ransom
Cremation and Mortuaries in Astoria and Seaside. When I have time I love
to help him with services, handing out the folders at the door, helping
with the flowers. My husband has been a funeral director for 30 years
and will be installed as the president of the Oregon Funeral Directors
the day of our spring meeting so I will not be able to attend the meeting.
My non-profit ballet company, Little Ballet Theatre, produces the full
length Nutcracker Ballet every year. This one coming will be the 34th
annual with the full symphony and choir, 120 dancers…we were featured
on the NBC Today show years ago.
Hobbies outside
of dance team?
Prowling antique stores, going to basketball games, going to Palm Springs,
going to softball games, all with my husband
If money
were no object, what would you do with your life?
Teach, coach, (could fund the dance team, so no more fundraising!) and
travel…my two sisters are in Madrid as we speak!!!
What do you
do to relax and deal with stress?
Exercise, look forward to Spring Break in Palm Springs…
In general,
do you consider yourself shy or outgoing?
Depends on the situation I guess
How would
a good friend describe you?
Too busy…
How would
your dance team describe you?
I get great notes that make me very humble.
What book
would you suggest everybody read?
Dance Is A Contact Sport
What movie
or TV show do you find yourself quoting the most?
Have not been to a movie for so long. My middle daughter was in Ferris
Bueller’s Day Off and that is about the only script I can remember
because I have watched it so many times!
What CD (or
MP3 collection) would your friends be surprised that you own?
Probably nothing earth shattering…so no surprise!
What would
your team be surprised to know about you?
I have known/taught them since most were age 4, so I think they must think
of me as sort of a grandmother…which I am!
Anything
else you’d like to share?
No, except that I am totally proud to be a dance team coach, and it means
more and more to me as the years go by. I am proud to be associated with
DDCA and all of the outstanding women that have been so instrumental in
keeping it running, with high ideals, and care for the many teenagers
that we coach and mentor. And I danced professionally for the Donn Arden
Dancers at the Moulin Rouge in Hollywood, Dorothy Dorben Dancers in San
Francisco and Cincinnati, Ohio, Noel Sherman Dancers in Montreal Canada
and New York City, and Kathryn Etienne Ballet Company in Hollywood.
Nicki Vanderzanden
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