By Brittney Mangum
Reporter
“Everybody is hyped about what you can gather and what you can get: the bigger houses and nicer vehicles and all that stuff. When it comes down to it, it’s the people. It’s the relationships with people that are more meaningful than any of that,” advised Donna Swilley. “Treat people how you would want to be treated, and be respectful of everyone no matter what. Everybody has a story, and everybody has a struggle. Don’t judge, and just be nice.”
Donna Swilley does her best to treat those around her how she would want to be treated. She has a desire to help others and uses her talents and knowledge to make a positive impact on as many people as she can. She grew up in this area and believes that who she is today is thanks to the caring community she was raised in.
“I grew up here in Quitman and went to the high school here. I was a member of the Big Blue Crew, so that was a huge part of my life. I played trombone. I actually went to Jones and played two years there,” explained Donna. “I played basketball. I did the shotput and discus in track. I was involved in all that kind of stuff. The community feel I grew up with is a huge part of who I think I am. Those teachers who I still see today, I respect them and don’t want to disappoint them still to this day.”
Once she graduated from high school, Donna continued her education. She took on a difficult task with a double major, but she would be able to find a career where she could enjoy working every day.
“I went to Jones for two years and then went to USM. I had a dual major in coaching, sports administration, athletic training and secondary education biology,” recalled Donna. “When I graduated from USM in 1990 with my master’s, I moved to Biloxi as a certified athletic trainer. I stayed on the coast for 30 years.”
One of her big accomplishments after moving to the coast was beginning on of the largest sports medicine groups in the state.
“I started what is now Sports Medicine Specialist in Mississippi. It’s one of the largest sports medicine groups and covers the entire coast,” declared Donna. “I started that with a physical therapist and a group of orthopedic surgeons down there. I was mainly at D’Iberville High School for over 20 years as their athletic trainer and the director of sports medicine for that group that we covered all along the coast. I sold all that a few years ago.”
Sports medicine wasn’t her only passion. She also had a passion for coaching and teaching and felt blessed that a school gave her a chance to teach as well as do sports medicine.
“I had my education license along with my other degree when I graduated from USM,” expressed Donna. “I had that all along and never got rid of the desire to coach. D’Iberville and Harrison County School District gave me an opportunity to do that and continue to do the sports medicine. I went to work for them as a high school anatomy and physiology teacher and softball coach and athletic trainer. I had three roles.”
While at D’Iberville, she started a program for students to participate in and made a huge impact on countless students.
“When I worked at D’Iberville, I actually had a student athletic training program,” remembered Donna. “I had like 25 kids in that program that would spend time with different sports learning about the field of athletic training and really physical therapy and occupational therapy in the medical field. I have a lot of kids I’ve worked with who’ve gone on to be PTs, OTs, doctors, and nurses. I was also the director of that sports medicine thing for 10 years.”
Although she loved her job at D’Iberville, she eventually decided that the time had come to change jobs.
“I did that for 12 years and then went to work at USM Gulfport to work as an instructor in the sport coaching degree program for two years,” stated Donna. “Then, I moved to St. Martin High School as a middle school science teacher and softball coach. I stayed there five years and then figured it was time to come home.”
She maintained a highly successful softball program at both of the schools she coached at, and she attributes the program’s success to the team members who worked so hard. She is proud of the kids she taught and coached and what they have become.
“I’ve been able to meet and be involved with a lot of different athletes and their families as athletic trainer, coach, and teacher. Seeing those kids now as doctors and lawyers and teachers and parents with great families and how successful those kids are is something I’m really proud of,” proclaimed Donna. “I’m really proud of my softball players and the accomplishments they’ve had. We had very successful programs at both D’Iberville and St. Martin, and I’m very proud of both those things. I’ve gotten a few Coach of the Year things at different times. The successes of the teams were the honor to me. It was them doing all that, so I don’t take any credit for that.”
She eventually decided two years ago that it was time to come home to Quitman, and she again found a job she enjoys with Quitman School District.
“I got the opportunity to teach at Quitman Junior High, and that’s where I am. I teach seventh grade science,” said Donna. “I’m currently providing sports medicine services through Rush for Quitman and help with softball.”
She is proud of Quitman’s softball team and the endurance they show. She also has a great amount of respect for Coach Harlan and how she has worked closely with the girls over the past few years.
“This group of kids is some of the most resilient kids for the things they’ve been through and the ups and downs they’ve been through for the past five years,” declared Donna. “For them to have the acceptance and the attitudes and the hard work that they still do, they’ve really responded well when so many other kids would have checked out from being let down so many times. Coach Harlan has been amazing with them, and I think they’re having some fun.”
While she stays busy with her job at the school, there are things that Donna enjoys doing in the rare occasions she has free time. She loves to travel and just be able to spend as much time with her family that she can. She loves sports and enjoys being able to watch different sports as much as she can.
“I love the Tennessee ladyball basketball, so I follow them diligently during their season and ladyball softball during their season. You’ll find me watching any sports really,” expressed Donna. “I love going to Tennessee and vacation in the mountains. I love photography; I try to do a semi-decent job at that. I love spending time with my mom. That was one of my main reasons for trying to get home was so I could spend some time with her.”
Over the years, she has met numerous people and made some great memories along the way with her travels. She has been blessed to have her mom with her on many of the trips.
“I’m a huge Martina McBride fan. I’ve met her on several occasions and know her and her husband really well. I’ve known her and her husband since 1992. I get to see her on a lot of occasions. I just recently saw her. Through that, I’ve gotten to see a lot of people like Garth Brooks and other people like that. I’ve got a lot of special memories with them and through them. I spend a lot of time going to a lot of concerts,” informed Donna. “I got to meet Pat Summitt; she’s like a legend in the coaching world. I had the opportunity to meet her and see her teams play. Those memories are pretty special. My mother has gotten to go on a lot of that with me. She met a lot of those people, so it’s been fun.”
In the future, she plans to be able to retire and do more travelling and enjoying life with her family.
“That retirement light is starting to get a little brighter,” discussed Donna. “The first 12 years I worked for outpatient rehab companies and hospitals, so this is my 21st year in PERS. Hopefully, I’ll go at least four more years with that, and then if I get to retire, I’d love to travel and watch some of those basketball games instead of just the ones that are here. I’d like to spend more time in the mountains and more time with my mom.”
No matter what she does each day, Donna does everything she can to be a positive light for those around her. She encourages kids to give their best and treat others kindly and teaches them through example.
If you would like to nominate someone for Person of the Week, contact Brittney Mangum at 601-776-3726.
