http://disqus.com/by/redmondmotherof5/enMon, 08 Dec 2008 22:56:49 -0000http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/whidbey/wnt/news/35427879.html#comment-4280668<p>squint.. the comment about a negative poster was directed to undergrad not you ;)</p><p>it just came to you because you were in the chain of post. </p>redmondmotherof5Mon, 08 Dec 2008 22:56:49 -0000http://www.redmond-reporter.com/lifestyle/35137539.html#comment-4208467<p>It is so sad to hear that Rebecca's battle is over. I am just moved to know that her friends and community were with her until the end. It is a lovely testimony to hear how she impacted the people whose lives she touched. thank you for sharing her story and allowing others in this community to be touched by her life.</p>redmondmotherof5Fri, 05 Dec 2008 14:41:36 -0000http://www.redmond-reporter.com/news/34042859.html#comment-3903317<p>Thanks for posting BellMom, I was starting to think I was the only one out there!</p><p></p>redmondmotherof5Wed, 19 Nov 2008 18:13:15 -0000http://www.redmond-reporter.com/news/34042859.html#comment-3895796<p>Shame on me for opening my mouth and allowing myself to be drawn into this DRAMA!</p><p>I did not intend to come across as contradictory. I merely intended to reply to your inuendo that I do not "know" Ronda Thomas.</p><p>It was my desire to show that I do know Ronda and see both stengths and weaknesses in her character. I was not making a one sided argument, but attempting to represent the side that does not seem to be recognized in these articles or comments.</p><p>I also intended to make clear that I had a child who I removed from under Ronda's supervision because I did not believe that my child was safe in her care. It was unhealthy both physically and emotionally.</p><p>While I have a great deal of medical records to support my position, I am chosing not to go on the record because of people just like you. This unhealthy emotional situation is not something I wanted my child involved nor that I chose to be involved in.</p><p>I am no longer involved with these people or these activities... AND YET.... I found myself curious about the other people who chose not be named, (how many are there, and why won't they go on record). And my querry brought about exactly what I had been avoiding.</p><p>Point made! Thank you GCANDD, you are a product of that training, and behave exactly like I would expect someone who had come from that environment to behave. I am so glad you confirm my good parenting sense. I obviously made the right decision to take my child away from that influence.</p><p>I am done... good day.</p>redmondmotherof5Wed, 19 Nov 2008 11:20:14 -0000http://www.redmond-reporter.com/news/34042859.html#comment-3890295<p>I must be clear, you are assuming you know who I am and how long I have been away from Ronda and Galaxy cheer. I do not know that your assumptions are correct.</p><p>Were I to be a public spokesperson who would chose to go on record and be quoted telling of things I had personally seen and heard while observing my child at Galaxy Cheer and under the care and supervision of Ronda Thomas, I can only assume I would receive the same aggressive attacks that so many people are experiencing on this very blog.</p><p>Your responses are intimidating and overwhelming for me: an adult. I can only imagine how difficult it must be to be a teenager who is feeling that type of pressure. It is no wonder that my daughter declined to speak to Mary about this article.<br></p>redmondmotherof5Tue, 18 Nov 2008 23:45:43 -0000http://www.redmond-reporter.com/news/34042859.html#comment-3889743<p>Thanks, I appreciate your kind words!</p>redmondmotherof5Tue, 18 Nov 2008 22:49:28 -0000http://www.redmond-reporter.com/news/34042859.html#comment-3889740<p>Wow, if that is not a lengthy response, I would hate to see what happens when you get riled?!?! :)</p><p>For a message you did not consider thought provoking, you certainly had a lot of thoughts to share.</p><p>Perhaps the message of my post was not clear to you, but I am glad that at least one other reader has found my input a worthwhile read.</p><p>I believe that Ronda Thomas' coaching style and history are relaevant details in this stiuation. If the district has felt that there was just reason to dismiss her so suddenly and without prior reprimand, I am left wondering just what motivated them so???</p><p>It seems that whenever someone suggests Ronda has done something well, you applaude and call attention to it, but whenever someone suggests disapproval you dismiss their opinion as irrelevant, ignorant or untrue.</p><p>Perhaps this blind aggressive support of Ronda is one of the reasons people might shy away from revealing their identities.</p><p>I for one would hate to have one of my children face this type of aggression should they come upon Ronda or her supporters in the world of cheer.</p>redmondmotherof5Tue, 18 Nov 2008 22:48:48 -0000http://www.redmond-reporter.com/news/34042859.html#comment-3882383<p>Excellent response! I am flattered that my post was thought provoking enough to bring you back into the discussion.</p><p>I think I do know Ronda fairly well. I have watched her do some very amazing things with her cheer program and with some of the young ladies and gentlement who have walked through those doors. I have no doubt that Ronda's passion in the gym is a mere extension of the passion she has throughout her life, and I know that she feels deeply saddened and misunderstood by the negative things that impact her world. I have personally seen Ronda affected by these things was touched to see her emotions so near to the surface. I believe that is one of Ronda's greatest gifts.</p><p>Let me be clear, I have always seen that which is within Ronda that made her a great coach, and that was why I chose Galaxy Cheer for my children. The other side of the coin, is why I chose to leave Galaxy Cheer. I am not willing to publicly throw mud at Ronda or her program. I am not willing to get into a he said/ she said battle and therefore I will not come forward with my name. However, knowing the things that I personally witnessed or incidents that were revealed to me by others, I am well aware of some of the stories that could and should be told.</p><p>I do not know or really care if you or Ronda know who I am. I am completely comfortable with my families departure from Galaxy Cheer. I do not hold any resentments or unresolved issues with Ronda. I would feel perfectlyy comfortable seeing her in a social situation and I believe that Ronda wished the best for my family when we left Galaxy. When she saw my children on future occasions, she was supportive and respectuful to them (which was shamefully not true of all the Galaxy coaches).</p><p>If I could orchestrate this entire situation, I would do so as such...</p><p>I would hope that Mary Decker would feel inspired to dig deep and find the story beneath this story. A story of coaches who can have a negative impact on some of our children. A story of parents who allow their children to be in these programs in spite of their reservations, and then tread softly out of fear or intimidation. Regardless of Ronda's intent, this is what has happened and we should be asking ourselve why??? What was happening within environment of Galaxy Cheer that left these negative impressions? Was this "abuse" or is this just oversensivtive children manipulating their overprotective mothers??? Isn't the search for the deeper story what successful journalism is about?</p><p>Secondly I would hope that this time of trial would be a stepping stone for Ronda Thomas. Ronda has seen a great amount of success in a relatively short period of time. There has been little time for growth as both a coach and a business owner. She has been stretched quite thin on every level. In such cases there are always concessions. Ronda has much to offer this world as a coach, as a parent, and as a strong community member. I would love to hear in the future how this time has molded her and made her a stronger representative in all these areas, and more.</p><p>I am most certain that in the light of her dismissal from Redmond High School's cheer program; while so many are standing strong and supporting Ronda without even a thought that she could be accountable for any wrong; Ronda is looking at her past and thinking deeply about some of the mistakes she has made. I am sure she is seeing the errors and recognizing the other choices she could have made. That is where growth comes from and I believe that Ronda is capable of honest reflection and change. This will serve to make her a better coach, a better parent, a better rolemodel and a better more evolved individual than she already is.</p><p>I myself do not feel that I fall into the catagory of an overprotective parent. I do however consider myself as an advocate for my children and I do try to help them process and maturely deal with any issues they face in all areas of their life in a healthy manner. I believe that openly confronting thier issues when they are still under the safe umbrella of our leadership will properly prepare them for thier adult lives. When I believed the issues that were facing at Galaxy Cheer superceded their ability to cope and jeapordized their safety, I removed them from the program. It came to a point where the benefits of their involvement were outweighed by the negative effects of that same involvement. Ronda Thomas listened to the reasons why we were leaving Galaxy Cheer and was respectful in her response. She did not, however, take responsibility for the conditions we brought to her attention and took no action to make changes for the safety and well being of the athelets left in her care.</p><p>Best to you all, and I hope that my input has brought something of worth to this situation.</p><p>Thank you...</p><p></p>redmondmotherof5Tue, 18 Nov 2008 14:54:01 -0000http://www.redmond-reporter.com/news/34042859.html#comment-3792276<p>My husband just made an excellent point I thought would be worth sharing...</p><p>Should Bobby Knight coach basketball? Some people say yes. He got results! However, it was decided that his methods were unacceptable. There are many examples of coaches who led their teams to championships while utilizing abusive coaching techniques.</p><p>I am thankful that the school district would error on the side of caution whenever the safety or care of our children is concerned.<br></p>redmondmotherof5Sat, 15 Nov 2008 14:22:59 -0000http://www.redmond-reporter.com/news/34042859.html#comment-3792219<p>I have been following the postings on both articles.</p><p>I have children who were formally involved with Galaxy Cheer. I have known Ronda Thomas for several years. I was one of the parents who was not willing to post my experiences with Galaxy Cheer with my name or the names of my children.</p><p>I am just sitting here wondering... Am I the only one? Are there two of us, or five of us, or fifty? or FIVE HUNDRED?</p><p>The reporter says that there was no one willing to come forward... Did she ever ask why? Did she ever stop to wonder how a spritely little burst of energy like Ronda Thomas could intimidate the soccer moms of our community?</p><p>In every story there are two sides to be told. The fact that no one seems to want to talk about the "other" side leaves a very unsettling feeling in my stomach. Is this just the case of a biased reporter, or do we have people, parents and children, who are for one reason or another feeling bullied or intimidated by Ronda Thomas or her supporters to the point that they are unwilling to stand up and be counted. Something is very wrong with this story</p><p></p>redmondmotherof5Sat, 15 Nov 2008 14:16:39 -0000