Students keep her passion ignited
By Jason Arndt
Staff Writer
When Sue Smith had a life change in 1989, the Bristol resident and Kenosha Bradford graduate decided to put the television remote away and head to Westosha Central High School to watch a volleyball match.
Smith first became a fan of Westosha Central teams when her two children, Jill Tobin and Dennis Smith, attended the school eight years earlier.
Tobin, who serves as an executive assistant for Abvie, notched first-team all-conference honors in softball as a pitcher her senior year.
Tobin was also a member of the school swing choir.
Her son, however, holds the honor of kicking the longest field goal in school history, in addition to serving as a member of the baseball team that went to state.
Dennis is now a truck driver/instructor at JB Hunt.
“I started becoming a fan in 1981 when my kids were here,” said Smith, noting she found her purpose in 1989, when she attended a volleyball match, which she has done since.
“When there was a change in my life, I wanted to do something at night, and not sit at home just watching television,” she added.
Throughout the years, her role as scorekeeper has evolved into girls basketball announcer, in addition to serving the same role for the former gymnastics program.
“The farthest I have gone for a state tournament was Wisconsin Rapids for a gymnastics meet,” she said.
As Smith has gone to great lengths, she also braved the weather, including operating scoreboards for the baseball and softball programs in rain and snow.
But, her passion extends beyond sports. She also attends band and theatrical performances.
“I go to every band concert, every jazz concert, choir concerts and plays,” said Smith. “These are equally important to me and to the students.”
Students, she said, bring her great joy as they grow from freshman into graduates at the school.
“For me, the kids are the most important part of me doing athletic events,” Smith said.
“I love to watch them come in as freshmen, and see how they mold into the athletes as juniors and seniors.”
But the most rewarding, she said, is when recent graduates come back and express gratitude to her.
“The best part is when the kids come back to a football, basketball, or any sport event, after they have graduated and walk up, and hug me and say ‘I miss you Miss Smith,’” she said.
The priceless moment, she said, renews her spirit and faith in the future.
“Just when you think that kids do not care, that happens,” she said. “(It) makes all my time worthwhile. That truly is what it is for me because I love the kids.”