This week’s Meet a Mom interview is with Milford’s Sarah Barrett! She holds the official title of Miss Milford USA, and was just recently awarded 1st Runner Up at Miss Connecticut USA! Sarah is an NFL Cheerleader and coaches Track & Field. She graduated high school at Milford’s Joseph A. Foran High School Class of 2016, holds a B.A. in Human Development from UCONN, an Masters in Counseling and Applied Psychology and a professional certificate in college advising from Columbia University. Sarah is also a mom! She sat down with us to answer some questions about her inspiring career and momhood!
So, what drew you to your current vocation?
I have always loved track and field! At Foran High School I was a 4 season captain of indoor and outdoor track and still hold the school record for Pole Vault. I started coaching as a Special Olympics Volunteer and then while I was in school getting my masters in school counseling I began coaching at the high school level. Currently I’m the head indoor and outdoor track coach for boys and girls at Masuk High School in Monroe and I am an assistant coach for the University of Bridgeport Track & Field team. I also work as professional cheerleader which was a long time dream of mine. I grew up in a family who was always involved in supporting our local community and as a cheerleader one of our primary roles is to be an ambassador for our team out in our communities to give back. I consider it such a privilege to represent my organization, team, and women in sports.
I love the description of cheerleading as being an ambassador. What’s next, what does the future have in store for you? Anything we should keep an eye out for?
Up next for me is road race season. The Boston Marathon was kind of a kick off to spring and summer road racing for me. This weekend I’ll be running the Dash for Danni 5k at Foran raising funds to find a cure for DIPG, Ann inoperable pediatric brain cancer. In May I’ll be running the Mystic Half Marathon on behalf of the Quell Foundation to raise funds that support ending the stigma around mental health. I will also be running the Mother’s Day 5k here in Milford to benefit Bridgeport Hospital and the Milford Moves for Our Veterans 5k. In the fall I’m looking forward to my son starting Kindergarten, the New Haven Road Race Half Marathon and the Berlin Marathon in Germany!
Way to put your athleticism towards some great causes! Excelling in the sports and pageant world as a young mother must come with its challenges. How has being a mom helped you progress, personally or professionally?
Being a mom shaped my life trajectory in ways I never expected. There’s a lot of little challenges of being a mom, for example getting a sitter so I can go out on a run. But if it weren’t for my son I don’t know if I would have ended up accomplishing all that I have. When I found out I was pregnant I was a sophomore in college. The immediate reaction from friends and family was “oh no, there goes your future”. I firmly believed that being a mom didn’t mean I had to forfeit any opportunities or goals. I saw all the time I dedicated to attaining my three degrees and overcoming challenges to pursue my career goals as time being spent being a good mom and creating future opportunities for my son. I hope my son grows up knowing he should never dream smaller because of challenges and social pressure, the world is full of opportunities that are his to chase.
That’s a beautiful way of putting it. Let’s end on a fun note, what’s your favorite CT season/weather?
My favorite season is spring because it’s track season and perfect running weather! I also live for those magical first beach days like the sporadic 80 degree days we just had the other week!
Yes, I’ll see you on the beach! What’s your favorite hang out spot in Milford? Either with or without kids!
I love anywhere downtown Milford! I run through downtown quite often, love shopping our local businesses and pop ups on the green, and have never been disappointed by a restaurant downtown whether it’s brunch, lunch, or date night dinner.
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