Cheri (Calahan) Work checks in...

June 27, 2008

Our next classmate update comes from one of the greatest female athletes in Northshore High School history. "Faster than a speeding bullet", Cheri (Calahan) Work dominated her opponents both on the basketball court and around the track. Thankfully she slowed down just enough to send in this update. Cheri writes:

Here is an update on the Work family:

I went to Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN after high school. I started in pre-med, then engineering, and finally found what I was made to do…teach middle schoolers. I walked on the track team and competed in the heptathlon. I met my husband, Matthew, at Vandy and got married December 23, 1995 and settled in Nashville. I taught in the Nashville public school system for 6 years in 7th grade science and coached basketball and track. I then taught one year at our church’s school. Matthew got his master’s degree in business administration and works in fundraising and development. He runs the business side of Christ Presbyterian Academy.

We had our daughter Abby in 2002, and I am now at home with her. Abby was born with dislocated hips and knees (think crooked legs and knees bending backwards). She has had six total surgeries including one to reconstruct the front of her skull and one to put in a shunt. She is almost 6 years old and a delight. Abby has some definite cognitive delays (no speech yet) and some physical disabilities. She will start kindergarten this fall and be included in a regular class with an aide, special ed teacher, and three therapists all helping out.

I work part time at the YMCA coaching beginner runners. I recently finished my second half marathon and do triathlons in the summers. They keep me in shape, are fun, and are a good competitive outlet. We are active in our church (Christ Presbyterian PCA) and love Nashville.

My parents still live in Slidell, and we enjoy going down and visiting. Katrina affected them somewhat, but they were fortunate overall. They are now in a new house in the Bluffs, and a Chalmette family bought our old house after the storm. If anyone has more information on Lori Mire I would love to hear about her life after high school. We lost touch, and I am deeply saddened upon hearing of her passing. My email is workm@bellsouth.net

The pictures below are of Abby, our family, and my sister Christine Calahan Smith (Class of 95) and our kiddos, Cooper and Abby.