JEFF FIELDER Editor
SCOTTSBLUFF – Kymber Shallenberger, a senior at Scottsbluff High School, has been named Nspire Today!’s Female Athlete of the Week, sponsored by Kristy Culek Agency, LLC-American Family Insurance. She’s in her fourth year on Scottsbluff’s varsity softball team, and this is her second year as a starting pitcher. Scottsbluff (9-1) is rated No. 10 in Class B. Shallenberger also competes in track and field (shot put and discus). Also at school, she plays the viola in the orchestra. Outside of school, she’s involved at her church, First Baptist Church in Scottsbluff. After high school, Shallenberger plans to attend WNCC for two years before moving on to a four-year college. She wants to pursue a major in the medical field. Her parents are Tad and Tara Shallenberger. For being named an Athlete of the Week, Kymber will receive a gift card for a free drink at Scooter’s Coffee.
Q: Describe how things have been going for the Scottsbluff High School softball team.
SHALLENBERGER: “The softball season has been going really great this year. We’ve got a new coach, and he’s great with working with the team, and he gets us really motivated.”
Q: Are you surprised with just how well Scottsbluff has played so far this season?
SHALLENBERGER: “Not really. I’ve always believed that we could do everything we’ve done this year in years past, but I feel like we’ve executed a lot better than years past.”
Q: What do you think is the strength of this year’s softball team?
SHALLENBERGER: “I feel like we have a lot more drive to win as many games as we can, and we believe in ourselves a lot more this year.”
Q: What are your individual and team goals?
SHALLENBERGER: “My individual goal is to pitch as well as I can and do what’s best for the team. Our team goal is to make it to state and, hopefully, win it.”
Q: How many years have you been playing softball?
SHALLENBERGER: “About 13 years.”
Q: How does it feel to be a senior?
SHALLENBERGER: “It’s kind of scary, but it’s also relieving at the same time because you feel like all the work you’ve done in the past is helping you during your senior year.”
Q: Is softball your favorite sport?
SHALLENBERGER: “It’s a close tie with the shot put and discus.”
Q: How have things been going in track and field?
SHALLENBERGER: “Track my freshman and sophomore years went pretty well. I was on varsity my freshman and sophomore years. I would have been on varsity again my junior year [if the season wouldn’t have been cancelled due to COVID-19], and this year I hope to go to state.”
Q: How much do you like being involved in orchestra?
SHALLENBERGER: “I really like orchestra. The teacher is really nice, and all the kids are very close to each other. It’s fun being part of a large group like that outside of sports.”
Q: Outside of your school activities, what do you like to do for fun?
SHALLENBERGER: “I like to read and just be outside.”
Q: What is your favorite class?
SHALLENBERGER: “I really like my history and medical classes.”
Q: What got you interested in the medical field?
SHALLENBERGER: “My mom is a nurse, and she’s always been so nice and kind and is always willing to help people. That made me want to help people, too, so I decided to do something in the medical field.”
Q: How much have you enjoyed growing up in Scottsbluff?
SHALLENBERGER: “It’s been really nice. I grew up in the country, so I went to Lake Minatare, and we were all really close. Then when I went to [Bluffs Middle School], that was a shocking change because there were a lot more kids there. But meeting new people has been amazing and awesome. As for the community, generally everyone is always smiling, and if you wave at someone, they’ll wave back.”
Q: What is your favorite type of music?
SHALLENBERGER: “I like any type of music, but I generally listen to country.”
Q: What is your favorite TV show?
SHALLENBERGER: “Charmed.”
Q: During your educational career, which teacher do you feel has made the biggest influence on you?
SHALLENBERGER: “Mrs. [Loni] Schlothauer. She was my fifth-grade teacher. She was always so kind and encouraging, and she really made the classroom come alive. She was an amazing teacher.”
Q: Who do you think is one of the kindest students at Scottsbluff High School?
SHALLENBERGER: “My friend, Sophia He. She’s very quiet, but she’s always there to help you. She’s always nice and kind and will help anyone out. She’s a senior, too.”
Q: What do you think is the coolest attraction in the WyoBraska region?
SHALLENBERGER: “Probably the Monument because you can hike up there, and you can learn about history there. It’s really pretty at sunset and sunrise.”
Q: What’s the most exciting place you’ve ever traveled to?
SHALLENBERGER: “Yellowstone. We went there when I was around 10 or 12. It was so pretty. You can hike there, and there’s a waterfall that’s really big. It was one of the most amazing places I’ve ever been.”
Q: Name one person who you think is a big difference-maker in the Scottsbluff community.
SHALLENBERGER: “Ralph Paez. He really helps out the softball team, and he helps out wherever he can in the community – like making meals for kids who don’t have any food.”
Q: What is your favorite local restaurant?
SHALLENBERGER: “Ole.”
Q: What do you like to order there?
SHALLENBERGER: “Their burritos. They’re really good.”
Q: If you could give a shoutout to one local business, which one would it be and why?
SHALLENBERGER: “16th Empire. They help out the community, like giving food to kids who don’t have much food. Also, they have really good food, and they’re really, really polite when you go in there. It’s just a great business.”
Q: Do you have any siblings?
SHALLENBERGER: “I have an older sister, Kaitlyn Shallenberger. She’s a junior this year at Black Hills State University. She’s majoring in human services and is minoring in outdoor education.”
If you would like to nominate someone for Nspire Today!’s Athletes of the Week, sponsored by Kristy Culek Agency, LLC – American Family Insurance, you may do so by sending an email to jeff.fielder@nspiretoday.com or by mailing a letter to Nspire Today!, P.O. Box 454, Scottsbluff, NE 69363. Nominations may also be submitted by sending a text to 308-220-8865.
In addition to being recognized online, athletes of the week will also be recognized in Nspire Today! magazine. To sign up for a one-year subscription (12 issues) to the magazine, please send $15 to Nspire Today!, P.O. Box 454, Scottsbluff, NE 69363. To pay with a credit card, please call 308-220-8865.
For all your insurance needs, visit The Kristy Culek Agency, LLC-American Family Insurance, located at 1012 Ave. I in Scottsbluff, or call 308-632-8598.
