There are few things Corvallis senior Sam (Samantha) Nelson loves more than playing sports, especially softball. But on May 16, 2006, her life changed dramatically. Nelson gave birth to a daughter, Ava Jean. It was, according to the soft-spoken young woman, a wake up call.

"I was grounded a lot. I made bad choices," she concedes. Now, she says, her first thoughts are, "How is this going to affect my daughter?"

Nelson never had any doubts about keeping the baby when she found out she was pregnant although she says her first thought was "Oh, crap." But what about the rest of Nelson’s life, her school, her friends and her sports?

Nelson has always participated in sports - basketball, volleyball, and of course, softball. In high school she has played for the Corvallis Blue Devils. She's involved in sports because of the competition, the camaraderie, the physical activity and the sheer love of the game.

After finding out she was pregnant, Nelson’s mother, Jean, said one concern was to keep Sam in school and get her diploma. National statistics show teen mothers are more likely to drop out of high school and only one third of those who stay in school receive their diplomas.

According to a Women’s Sports Foundation and teen pregnancy study in 1998 by D. Sabo, K. Miller, M. Farrell, G. Barnes and M. Melnick, participation in high school athletics decreases the chances of a female high student becoming pregnant by more than half. The children born from these pregnancies can have problems - emotionally, socially and with their health.

Jean Nelson didn’t say anything about these national statistics though. She and her husband, Scott, just wanted her daughter to finish her schooling and perhaps enjoy some of the activities that are a part of a high school senior’s life.

Nelson had just begun her junior year when she found she was pregnant. She was on the Blue Devil varsity volleyball team and continued to play throughout the season. She was the manager for the softball team, up until May 16, and sat on the bucket taking stats and being a part of the team right up until Ava’s arrival.

Early in her pregnancy, Nelson worried, in addition to the normal worries of any new mother-to-be, about how to accomplish everything she wanted to do. Her parents were right there to help her and Jean told her they would help with Ava while Sam was in school and participating in athletics.

“I think it was a relief to her,” said Jean. “She knew the baby would have a good place to be so she (Sam) could relax.”

Nelson is one of eight children, although the older five have moved out of the family home. But now there are a bevy of grandchildren around. Nelson has three nephews and one niece and at any one time, Grandma is babysitting one or more of them.

Nelson said she felt everyone thought she couldn’t and wouldn’t stay in school and finish but she knew she could do it. She said the experience taught her who her real friends were. These are the friends who have been there through the tough times for Sam and have encouraged her to keep on going.

Ava and Sam came home from the hospital to Sam’s room in her parents’ home. They still share this room even though Ava’s world is expanding. She is about to start walking and is into everything.

“But she’s always smiling and laughing,” said Nelson. “She’s pretty funny.”

One thing Ava is still not doing consistently is sleeping through the night. Ava doesn’t care if Mom has a game or early morning practice. She is her own person and it’s up to Mom to adjust.

Although she has had limited sleep at times, Nelson has continued her courses and activities through her senior year. In fact, these last two years, Nelson has been on the honor roll at Corvallis. Her typical day involves getting up with Ava and spending some time with her. Then it’s off to school, practice or a game and then to work at the Coffee Cup in Hamilton for a couple of hours. She works to provide herself with some spending money for Ava and herself.

Nelson was on the varsity volleyball team this year. She said it was tough getting back in good enough shape to play just three months after Ava’s birth. This winter, she played basketball for the Blue Devils and Ava and her grandparents were in the stands cheering.

Nelson doesn’t feel that she’s received any breaks in school or sports. She still has to do the assignments and make the practices and games. The teachers and coaches have been supportive, she says, but she doesn’t feel like they’ve singled her out for special treatment.

“Sam is a real go-getter,” said her mom. “She gives 100% to everything she does and is really striving to do good.”

Although he is in Ohio working now, Ava’s dad, Trevor England, has been active in Ava’s life as well. Nelson said he has been supportive of her decisions and is working hard for them.

After graduation, Nelson plans to join England in Ohio with Ava. They plan on spending the summer there before moving back to the Bitterroot where Nelson is looking at attending either cosmetology school or massage therapy school.

Nelson, who by nature is a very quiet person, has been thrust into the spotlight somewhat because of her sporting activities and Ava. She and Ava along with her mom and a few other supporting friends will be the subject of a PBS program later in May.

It is obvious that this isn’t the easiest subject for Nelson to talk about. And it's also obvious that although the last two years haven’t been easy, Nelson is a determined young woman who wants to succeed, as a mother, athlete and person.

She says she believes things happen for a reason. She isn’t sure yet what this particular reason is but she knows that Ava has been a positive influence on her life. Her mom says being able to help Sam be active in sports and finish school has allowed Sam to grow more.

According to Jean Nelson, “It’s been tough but it’s been worth it” for all three generations.

Troop donations needed

Donations for our troops in the Middle East are now being accepted. The Ravalli County Republican Women's Club is sponsoring a Donation Drive to collect items servicemen and women could use to make their tours of duty a little easier. Suggested items include white socks, candy bars (all types, including chocolate), individually wrapped candies, phone cards, DVD's (movies, TV series such as Friends, 24, Scrubs, Lost, Seinfeld, etc.), and magazines. Monetary donations are welcome as well, to purchase items and to cover overseas shipping costs. Donations may be dropped off at Art Focus, 215 W. Main in Hamilton, or Valley Drug, 301 Main in Stevensville, from now until May 15. For more information call Colleen at 961-5581. Let's show our troops how much they're appreciated and supported back home!

Stevi Community Sculpture Art Call

The Stevensville Art and Sculpture Society (SASS), on behalf of the town of Stevensville, is requesting proposals from Montana artists for purchase of a sculpture for outdoor public installation in Lange Park.

Deadline for submission of proposals is June 29, 2007. Proposal guidelines are available at www.sassart.org or by contacting Gary Knapp, 777-3797, grknapp@msn.com.

Proposals will be reviewed by a committee of local artists and community members, and the evaluation will be completed by August 17, 2007, with installation by October 15, 2007.

SASS is a non-profit, contemporary art group organized for the active promotion, display and production of public art.

Obituaries

Thelma Inez (Sims) Hill
1929-2007

Thelma Inez (Sims) Hill, 78, of Stevensville, died at home on Friday, April 27, 2007.

She was born on March 29, 1929 to George Ellington and Florence Agatha (Clanton) Sims in Marianna, Jackson Co., Florida.

She grew up on the family farm during the Great Depression, the youngest of 12 children. During WWII she met the man who became the love of her life, Answorth Hill, a soldier stationed at the nearby military base. After they married the happy couple moved to Morrice, Michigan, Answorth's hometown. There they stayed and raised their family.

Thelma was blessed with a beautiful, melodic voice and sang as she busied about taking care of her family. She was devoted to her family and spent many hours sewing for her children, and later for her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She was always happy to lend a helping hand. In her later years she served a mission for her church. After re-establishing herself in Michigan, she traveled about visiting her children.

Answorth preceded Thelma suddenly in 1976.

She is survived by a son, Gregory E. Hill of Perry, MI, and two daughters, Claudia J. Campbell of Bemidje, MN and Deborah I. Agosto of Stevensville; 16 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren.

She is a beloved mother and will be greatly missed.

Graveside services will be held at Sunnyside Cemetery on Wednesday, May 2, at 11 a.m. with Bishop Garth Stevens officiating.

The Whitesitt Funeral Home in Stevensville is in charge of arrangements.

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