FAIRVIEW, Ala. – Fairview senior Ralie Gaines walked across the stage at Wallace State and picked up her diploma recently and in this interview, she shared some of her favorite sports memories from playing softball and volleyball alongside her teammates and friends. She took away so many important things from her teammates.
“One of my favorite softball memories was enjoying the game with my friends. For our Senior Night this year, it got rained out, so we all used the outfield as a slipping side. It was so much fun, and we turned a sad situation that we thought was ruined into one of the best nights ever. Another one would be when we played our dads in a game and got to make great memories with all our friends and parents. My favorite volleyball memory was when we went to Josie’s house my freshman year. We swam, had a cookout, and we all enjoyed each other’s company,” Gaines said. “It was the best part of my high school experience: being around an amazing group of girls that loved being around one another and the sport. What I learned from my softball teammates is that all of the hard work from the long extra hours is all worth it. The kindness and love that I got from this amazing sport and the wonderful people that were involved will always be cherished, and I thank God every day for giving me such amazing people and such an amazing sport that he gave me the ability to play and the ability to enjoy. In volleyball, I learned that you need to enjoy every moment, because it doesn’t last forever.”
Ralie felt blessed to get to play under Coach Brian Simmons in softball and soaked up as much as she could from him.
“Coach Simmons had one of the biggest impacts on me. He taught me to never give up and to give everything you have, because you never know if it’ll be your last opportunity,” Gaines said. “I will miss the people the most and the love that I have shared with them, especially softball. All of us seniors have played with each other since elementary school, so we have had an incredible bond. What I will miss the most about playing at Fairview would be my love for the sports. Putting in the extra hours and getting to see the reward is so amazing, because all of that hard work paid off. I’m so grateful that God blessed me with these opportunities to have such amazing memories and love for these sports to remember for a lifetime.”
She talked about one of her favorite softball games that she was a part of and some of her favorite high school memories made off the field as well.
“My favorite game was the second time that we played Hanceville this year. We had a couple of rough games early on, and it felt like nothing was going right, then we all came together and fought as hard as we could, and we won the game. Then from there on, we had one of our best seasons yet, and we had a blast that game, dancing, cheering, and having a blast. We all had an incredible game that night,” Gaines said. “My favorite high school memory was homecoming week. We got to enjoy each other’s company, and we enjoyed playing fun games that week.”
Ralie will definitely miss being a part of the Fairview family this upcoming year.
“Fairview is different. It’s like a big family; everyone truly cares for one another. All the students and teachers make an impact on your life that lasts forever,” she said. “I will definitely miss Mrs. Nichols. She’s the school secretary, and I had the privilege of aiding for her this year. She is such a sweet lady that truly loves everyone. She was so kind to me and truly made me feel special. She had such a big heart this year. She cooked for all of the kids that aided for her and the teachers from scratch. It was such a nice gesture, and her cooking is tremendous.”
In addition to sports, Ralie participated in a couple of clubs at Fairview as well. She had a fun time being in those clubs and shared some advice for the students that will be starting high school in August.
“I was in the Honor Society for two years and the Student Council for four years. It was fun. Student Council taught me how to serve others and my community. Honor Society helped me hold myself to a higher standard,” she said. “My advice to those students that will be starting high school in August is to most importantly, keep God first but to have fun and enjoy life. You won’t always have high school forever. It’s one of the best memories you’ll have.”
Ralie was honored to receive the Fairview Alumni Association Scholarship and she talked about where she will be attending college, and what she will be majoring in.
“I received a scholarship from the Fairview Alumni Association. It meant a whole lot to me. Every little bit helps. I’m honored to be able to receive it,” she said. “I’ll be attending Wallace State Community College, and I’ll be majoring in Sonography. It is very important to have someone look up to you that wants to be like you one day. I love the fact that there is someone who believes in me and who would like to be like me one day. It always makes me keep myself in check and be a good example for them. They looked up to me, because I was always kind to others, and I was always trying to include them.”
She wants people to remember her as a kind person in and outside of sports and she talked about a couple of role models that have helped her get to this point in her life.
“I want people to remember me for being kind, thoughtful, and a hard worker,” she said. “For school, my role model is my dad. He has always worked hard for what he has, so that has drove me to work hard, and it has paid off. In sports, my role model is Emily Benson. She’s a hard worker and really talented, and it drove me to push myself even harder.”
Ralie thanks God for the blessings that He has brought into her life, and she shared her favorite Bible verse.
“He is the biggest part of my life. He is my father. He is my everything. God’s the reason why I’m here, why we’re all here, and I thank Him every day for giving me this life and the family and friends I have,” she said. “My favorite Bible verse is Psalm 86:15: ‘But you, O’ Lord, are a God full of compassion, and gracious, Long suffering and abundant in mercy and truth’. God is such an amazing God. He gives us the ability to choose Him. He is one you will never have to question, because He is sin-free. His love just overflows for each and every one of us, and I’m so grateful to be His child.”
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