Friday, February 6, 2026
Hundreds of Milwaukee Public Schools students packed the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Student Union on Feb. 4 for Milwaukee Recreation’s National Girls & Women in Sports Day celebration.
The interactive, inspiring event was presented by Milwaukee Recreation, the Milwaukee City Conference, and MPS’s Girls of Color program. The day featured engaging breakout sessions, a tasty burrito bowl lunch, and an encouraging talk from keynote speaker Katina Shaw, Milwaukee Brewers Vice President of Community Relations and Family Liaison.
Students learned about non-traditional opportunities and careers in sports, the importance of academic preparation when it comes to pursuing college athletics, mental wellness, personal discipline, and more. They even got to try out some cheerleading moves and fitness exercises.
“I believe this event is important because representation matters,” said speaker Avyanna Young, head women’s basketball coach at Bryant & Stratton College and supervisor of interscholastic athletics and academics with the Milwaukee City Conference. “It’s nice to have young women see the older adults doing those things that they may have dreamed of … and us being there to allow them to know you can do anything you put your mind to.”
Young, Girls of Color program coordinator Glenna Scholle-Malone, Alverno College head women’s golf coach Imani Stingley, World Sports Travel owner Sallie Gordon, and Rufus King senior and state-ranked wrestler Terryn McBride hosted a “Non-Traditional Sports” panel discussion. They shared their unique life experiences and introduced girls to alternative career pathways in sports such as gameday and event operations, media and marketing, healthcare, and business.
Gordon, who has over 15 years of experience organizing international sports travel for collegiate teams of all levels, advised the girls to “always keep an open mind.”
“Have your dreams and your goals, but also be open-minded because you never know when the right opportunity can come that you didn’t plan for,” she said.
The event prompted student-athletes to reflect on their experiences in sports and the life lessons they’ve learned along the way.
“Being a three-sport athlete, I have learned to balance everything and manage my time better …,” said Laila Duncan, a senior at Golda Meir High School who plays volleyball, softball, and cheer. “I’ve learned a lot of leadership skills, so I’ll take those talents when I go to college and join other clubs.”
Adrianna Reams, also a senior at Golda Meir, said playing soccer and golf has given her a supportive community outside of the classroom and helped her develop discipline and leadership. She said her favorite parts of playing sports are the release it provides and the sense of accomplishment that comes with mastering a new skill.
“As MPS students, we go through things like regional [competitions]. … We are in a lot of different communities where, a lot of the time, we’re the minority,” Reams said. “Those hardships bring us together, so I’ve made a lot of really close friends.”
Other breakout sessions included “Self-Awareness in Leadership: Playing After High School” with Honest Game co-founder Joyce Anderson, “Mental Wellness for Athletes” with Nicolet High School grad and state-champion basketball player Brittney Fair, “Running Towards Purpose: How Discipline Can Open Doors You Never Expected” with accomplished runner and educator Tenia Smith, “The History of Cheer and Dance in Sports” with certified cheer judge Veronica Bohannon and Rufus King head cheer coach Olivia Raasch, and “Holistic Fitness in Motion” with pilates instructor and personal trainer Gen Longoria.
Following the breakout sessions, Shaw, now in her 20th season with the Brewers, spoke about her career journey which began in nonprofits. Although Shaw “never imagined working in sports,” today she is the primary bridge between the Brewers’ front office and the team’s players, coaches, and families, ensuring players are supported on and off the field. She also organizes the team’s service projects and fundraisers and coordinates player appearances.
“I wasn’t born knowing what I wanted to be. I was once a young girl sitting in a room just like this — listening, watching, and wondering. I didn’t always see people who looked like me leading, speaking, and making big decisions, but I had something that was really powerful. I had curiosity, determination, and heart.”
Shaw discussed her experiences often being the only woman or woman of color in the room and how sports helped her build a mindset focused on believing in herself, overcoming obstacles, and working hard when no one is watching.
“You don’t need to know what your future looks like right now,” Shaw said. “You just need to believe in your potential, say ‘yes’ to opportunities, try things that stretch you and challenge you, keep going — even when it feels hard, even when you’re scared … and never, ever let anyone tell you that your dreams are too big or that you do not belong.”
The day’s event concluded with the presentation of the Bernell Hooker Trailblazer Award, named for the late MPS graduate, lifelong advocate for girls and women’s sports, and owner of the Milwaukee Aces semi-professional women’s basketball team. This year’s award winner is one of Hooker’s former classmates, Jacqueline Herd-Barber. Herd-Barber is a 1984 Milwaukee School of Engineering graduate and retired engineer who had a long, successful career in sales management at Motorola. Herd-Barber has served on several community and civic boards throughout Milwaukee and won numerous awards for community service.