RONDA THOMAS

It’s time to move forward

I am Nicole Weible, a senior on the Redmond High School cheer team.

This entire situation has been devastating not only to me, but my family, friends, the community, the school, and to former cheer coach Ronda Thomas.

In regards to the issue of Ronda being let go of her coaching position, it is a very sensitive and clearly controversial issue. I agree with the idea that Ronda was not fired because of a bunch of parents going to the administration and the school board with complaints.

I know that last year’s Y-E-L-L pyramid was illegal and she has to pay the consequences for performing it. However, I do believe that a warning should have been issued before such extreme measures were taken.

In my opinion, I think those people that had problems with Ronda and/or her coaching should have gone directly to her instead of going around her, the booster club, and the rest of the parents in order to have their problem solved by an outside party.

The BOTTOM LINE is that parents need to stay out of the situation from now on if the team is ever going to move forward. I am not saying that parents shouldn’t voice their opinions about the situation and continue to talk to their children about what is going on in cheer, but to make sure that before you spread rumors to other parents, you have your facts 100 percent correct!

As far as the new coach, she is trying her hardest. I feel sorry for her, that she is being victimized because she agreed to take on the team since there was no other person for the job.

As I stated above, Ronda will be greatly missed by me and countless others.

As Ronda always said, “I hope I will have trained you well enough, that if I shall ever have to leave for any reason, you can continue on creating a legacy with everything that I have taught you.”

Thank you Ronda Thomas for everything you have taught me about cheer, as well as life.

Nicole Weible

Redmond

RONDA THOMAS

A crusader for cheer

I have known Ronda for several years and admire her passion for cheer.

Cheer in the state of Washington wouldn’t be where it is today without Ronda Thomas.

She truly is a crusader in the field of cheerleading and has brought it to new heights, improving the image of cheer and making it a respected sport.

My daughter and I welcomed Coach Ronda to the RHS Cheer Team with open arms two years ago. We were all excited about her goals and ambitions for RHS Cheer.

Coach Ronda began a legacy with RHS Cheer, which now will be forgotten.

Coach Ronda had such great passion for this team; she sets the bar high and expects dedication from her athletes. The cheerleaders on the team were learning the value of hard work and looking forward to defending their state title this year. They were not only cheerleaders in the school community but ambassadors representing the whole student body. This is all gone now due to her dismissal.

I do hope that school board will look into her dismissal as stated at the board meeting and not dismiss the overwhelming show of support from parents, students, coaches and community members at large.

Deena Polk

Redmond

REPORTER STORY

Thank you for coverage

I just wanted to say thank you for the great story you wrote about “Noises Off” in the Nov. 5 issue of the Redmond Reporter.

The headline and photo work so well together, and the article really conveys what’s special about this production.

Thank you for letting the community know about the good work RHS drama kids are doing.

Kathleen Moore

Redmond