Where do you currently live?
Murray, Utah
Tell us about your life now, including your family, your hobbies, your occupation and any accomplishments during the last 20 years.
How has it been 20 years already? It seems just like yesterday that we were rocking choker necklaces, crop tops, low rise jeans and butterfly clips. After High School I received a full ride scholarship to Westminster College where I majored in Psychology and minored in Sociology. I participated in Operation Smile (non-profit organization that provides free cleft surgery for children) and a reading mentor program for local elementary schools. During college I worked for Valley Mental Health as a rehabilitation aide that assisted live-in residents with activities and everyday life. After college I worked as a Deputy Court Clerk for the 3rd District Juvenile Courts for about a year, just enough time to get my foot in the door with the State. From there I started an exciting career with the Utah Board of Pardons and Parole. I worked my way up the chain to become a disclosure specialist. I scheduled Parole Hearings for the entire state of Utah and part of my job was to physically go through each file of the inmate and send copies. This included detailed police reports and evidence photos, so I’ve seen it all! I worked for the Parole Board for 10 years before realizing it was time for a change. I jumped ship and took a job at the Salt Lake County Jail as a Pretrial Screener. I interviewed defendants who were booked into Jail and determined if they could be released or not. The downfall of this was the shift work and working graves. When Co-Vid started I was redeployed as a High Risk Pretrial Case Manager and given the opportunity to work from home. I have now been in this position for 2+ years and LOVE it. I supervise High Risk Offenders that have been ordered by a Judge to be supervised while they go to Court. This includes every type of charge you can imagine, including manslaughter. I am part of a peer support group that offers assistance to fellow co-workers, I help facility agency wide trainings and just finished a supervisor program through the U of U. I’ve realized this job is my calling and the support I can offer my clients is so fulfilling. I support my clients with housing resources, employment resources, substance abuse treatment, mental health treatment, etc. I have over 16 years towards my retirement with the State and feel that this will be the job I retire from. In 2019 right before Co-Vid hit hard, Paul and I started our own business doing property maintenance. He is a general contractor and our oldest works along side his dad. We have hopes of opening a food truck or restaurant to serve authentic Southern Food in the future. I also have a little Etsy side business that I sell my crafts on that I hope to get up and running more this next year. As far as personal life, I have four amazing children with the love of my life Paul. Together we have 3 boys and a girl, 20, 16, 15 and 8. Our oldest graduated from Cottonwood High in 2020 and our middle boys currently attend Cottonwood. I didn’t move far from the old stomping grounds and actually bought a house in the neighborhood west of Cottonwood. Our middle boys are actively involved with Football, Baseball, Basketball and Track and continue to surprise us by making Honor Roll. My 15 year old son is now the tallest in our family and stands over 6ft. Our little girl was interested in guitar for a hot minute, but ultimately her love is with horses. She spends the summers with my parents in Wyoming taking horse back lessons and is a county girl through and through. Paul was born and raised in Louisiana and I’m lucky to have my Southern Gentleman. We recently got back from spending almost 2 weeks in New Orleans and Mississippi and I can’t say how much I love our dry heat here in Utah. In addition to our full-house, we also have 4 dogs and a cat. I’ve always been an animal lover and tend to have at least one pet at all times. However, I never imagined I’d have 5 at one time! Our time is typically filled with sporting events or other activities they’re involved in. Paul and I love to take no kids trips at least once a year and try to explore new states and adventures. We are avid concert goers and together we’ve probably seen over 100 concerts. In my “free-time” (whatever that is) I craft… A LOT! I have an entire craft room dedicated to scrapbooking, wood crafts, cross stitch, home decor, etc. I’ve also recently been interested and Reiki and have plans this fall the get certified.
What is your favorite memory from high school?
Oh man, favorite memories! The first one that comes to mind is dancing in Ellie’s living room to Bloodhound Gang and making goofy videos. Like Ellie said in her bio, we kept a small group of us including Nikki (Corbell) and typically only hung out with our crowd. We were always up to something and even worked together at the old Pizza Hut off 9th, where Swig is now.
What do you think your “high school self” would be most surprised to learn about you now?
I think my old self would be surprised that I stayed so close to home. I always wanted to move out of State, but stuck to my roots. Also, that I would have kids that attended all the same schools I did!
Are you planning to attend our 20 year reunion on July 9th?
Yes
Cottonwood HS - Class of 2002 