It is with mixed emotions and certainly much gratitude that I write to announce that Sarah Helder, our varsity girls basketball coach, will be leaving us after this school year to spend more time with her three sons and husband and to pursue new professional interests outside of teaching and coaching.
Coach Helder has been an inspiration to her players, her assistants, her fellow coaches in the department, and the many families she has been associated with over the past decade. Her hard work and dedication are evident in the teams she has coached and the success of her girls. Several of her players have gone on to play college basketball because of her tutelage, and all of her former and current players think a great deal of her. She couldn't have been a better colleague to the faculty and coaching staff. On a personal note, I will miss seeing Coach Helder on the bench and having our insightful and funny conversations about basketball during our long bus rides home from road games. She will indeed be missed by all of us at Frederica Academy. We wish her well and look forward to seeing her in the stands cheering on the Lady Knights in the years ahead!
Coach Helder shared the following message about her last nine years of teaching and coaching at Frederica Academy:
Nine years ago my husband and I moved to Saint Simons Island. I grew up here, and we knew we wanted to settle down on Saint Simons permanently. I took over the Varsity Girls Basketball program in 2013. Over the last nine years, we have won a handful of basketball games, beaten top girls basketball schools, went to state seven out of nine years, and achieved many other accomplishments. Above all the accomplishments, the biggest one that stands out is the character and work ethic of the past nine teams. Every season each team worked on and off the court to become better players, teammates, students, and friends. I could not be more proud of the integrity the girls portrayed over the past years. I have loved every minute of being the Varsity Girls Basketball coach at Frederica Academy, but it is time for me to step down and spend time with my family. Since starting at FA, we have had three children. I am looking forward to spending more time at home. I appreciate everything Frederica Academy has done for me and my family. Thank you so much for your love, support, and encouragement over the years. I could not have asked for a better nine years in teaching and coaching. Although it will look different watching from the stands versus on the bench, I am excited to see the continual growth of the basketball program.
