HIGH SCHOOL JOURNALISM: 3 lives, 1 person in Xavier's Kearns

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By Brylee Bastian, Xavier sophomore

CEDAR RAPIDS - Imagine being a high school teacher, high school coach and a mother of a young child.

That is the life of Xavier's Erika Kearns.Kearns day consists of getting her 2-year-old daughter, Hadley, up and ready in the morning, getting to school on time to teach her six history classes, practicing after school, and finally, getting home to take care of Hadley before going to bed so she would do the same thing the next day.

Kearns graduate from Xavier High School in 2004 and earned her teaching degree in Minnesota. She enjoyed Xavier so much she wanted to return as a teacher and as a coach.

She is the assistant coach for the freshman girls' basketball team.

"My favorite thing about coaching freshman girls basketball is simply the girls," she said. "They are fun-loving, hard working and have an overall excitement for the game. I have been blessed with the opportunity to coach here at Xavier for the past three years, and it seems to get better each year."

Kearns's husband took on the role of working at night and taking care of Hadley she can participate in all she does for the Xavier community- and take care of her family.

"There are days where the only time I see my husband and daughter is in the stands at the game cheering the Saints on," Kearns said. "I am so grateful for a very supportive husband, Josh, that will take over the parenting and household duties so that I can do something that I love to do."

Kearns has plenty of experience, playing for Coach  Tom Lilly at Xavier. Her experience helps her recognize and have a good feel for how the plays should be run.

"I thought it was fun to have Mrs. Kearns as a coach and a teacher because she is a very easy person to relate to," sophomore Anna Christianson said. "We are thankful for her commitments," sophomore Anna Christianson said.

Kearns continues to balance her busy schedule and loves every second of it.