I do tend to procrastinate. But 36 years is a bit much, even for me. I meant to do it, really I did! I had the best of intentions, but I just never got around to it. Time rolled by, days melted into years, priorities changed. Fortunately, there is no statute of limitations on saying “thank you …”
Most of us have that someone in our past that had a great influence on our lives. That person for me was a high school teacher who taught me more than she ever realized. The debt of gratitude that I owe her is phenomenal and it’s about time I paid up. 
Officially, she was Miss Corey or later on, Mrs. Nyla Webb. ( I can’t imagine ever addressing her that way, even now!)
She was a PE teacher at Shasta High School and, more importantly to me, director of the Pom Pon girls, the school’s drill team. She was in my life for the better part of only two years, but influenced me more than anyone I know. The values that she instilled in me have remained over the years and I will always be grateful.
When I became a member of the drill team, you’d have thought I had won a trip to Hawaii – I was that excited! From the start, Corey made it perfectly clear what she expected from those of us on the team. She wanted us to be on time, work hard, listen to instructions and perform as a team.
She taught us that practice and perseverance were necessary for the desired end result. We quickly learned that there are always consequences for your actions. For example, if you did not have your uniform ready for inspection, you did not perform that week — period. If you did not hold a smile through an entire practice routine (which, by the way, is harder than it looks), you did said routine again … and again … and, quite possibly, again.
Corey gifted us with lessons in responsibility and the value in working hard to obtain a goal. To subsidize travel expenses to competitions, we sold stationery door to door and had various other fundraisers. Precision high-kick routines were perfected through 7 a.m. practices in the cold and mud. Repetition was the key to learning new dance steps. When we were tired, Corey’s “Let’s go, LADIES!” would get us up and moving again. Through it all, the greatest reward we asked for was to make Corey proud.
She made us a family. I have wonderful memories of trips on her patio boat and long bus trips to competitions. When Corey married Ed Webb in 1972 he adopted us as well. On one occasion, he even took us ( a lot of us!) to a father-daughter banquet at the Elk’s Club.
Some things you just never forget.
One particular incident I am sure Corey has long forgotten. My family did not have much money and Corey knew that I could not afford a dress for the prom. She took me to Damburger (yep, the same one) for lunch one day. I remember thinking that maybe I had done something wrong, and that she wanted to correct me or talk to me away from the rest of the team members. But then she casually mentioned that she had a couple of dresses, just laying around, that she wanted to give me – just in case. It was a slightly awkward moment for both of us, but touched me in a way that I will remember all of my life.
Corey was tough, but she was fair. She combined just the right amount of fun, discipline and a healthy dose of fear. You did not want to be on the receiving end of one of her disapproving glares! But she supported us and taught us about confidence, dignity and self-esteem. So, in the end, all I really wanted to say was “Thank you, Corey” — thank you for cherished memories of purple polyester uniforms, white gloves and those hi-tech bright white canvas Keds. Thank you for plastic baggies over the shoes (to keep them clean, of course), postiche hair pieces and the never-to-be-forgotten Vaseline on the teeth (keeps the lips from sticking). Thank you for head flips (my chiropractor thanks you, too), ripples and jump splits. Thank you for not only building our stamina, but also our character.
Thank you for two of the best years of my life. I will never forget you.
Oh, and Corey, one other thing. I am still dancing — because of you.
Bobbie Berg (first row, fifth from the left in the photo above) was raised in Redding. She has worked as a Property/Evidence Technician with the Redding Police Department for more than 16 years. She is married, has three children and two granddaughters. She designs and makes jewelry with her best friend and is a member of Country Gold Dancers, a line dance team.
