Each week, the Shreveport-Bossier Journal’s Tony Taglavore takes to lunch a local person – someone who is well-known, successful, and/or influential, and asks, “What’s Your Story?”
By TONY TAGLAVORE, Journal Services
Like most college freshmen who don’t have a clue about their future, she took the basics – mostly arts and science classes.
But one summer evening, she and her father – a banking executive turned Episcopal minister – were in their home’s kitchen. Dad wasn’t much for beating around the bush.
“What’s your plan?” He asked. “What are you going to major in? What’s your career? Where are you going?”
Hmmm . . . .
“I like my sociology class,” his daughter responded. “I like my English class.”
Yeah, that wasn’t the answer Pops was looking for.
“He was very black and white,” his daughter said. “While he was a priest, he came from a family that didn’t have a lot. His concern, having two daughters, was that they would be able to manage on their own. That they would be able to take care of themselves. He wanted to make sure he led the way down that path.”
So, her father (strongly) made a suggestion.
“How about nursing?”
Four years later, his daughter graduated Vanderbilt University with a nursing degree, and began what is now a 39-year career with Willis-Knighton Health.
“I think my father knew me better than I would have ever thought he did. I think he knew nursing would be something I would love and excel in.”
Claire Rebouche, the 62-year-old Chair of this year’s Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl (December 28th at 8:15pm), told me that story – and her story – during lunch at a place she chose, Silver Star Grille. Claire had a Caesar salad with grilled chicken, and an unsweet tea. I had the Strawberry Pecan salad with grilled chicken, and water.
“Tony, when I tell you that the first time I held a newborn, that I worked with a mother and a baby, teaching the mom how to take care of the baby, it was my soul. It was what I loved doing. I don’t know if I knew it at the time, but now, I know it was a ministry. It was a passion and ministry for loving on the newborns and the new moms.”
After eight years of bedside nursing, Claire was offered an opportunity to move into health system management as Education Director. Even though it would mean giving up what she loved, Claire said, “Yes”.
“The one thing I have done consistently in my life is accept challenges. I’ve always said “Yes”. . . . It was tough leaving the bedside, but I had two small children. I had a husband who – I don’t know if you know – worked evenings. Taking my first management job where I could be home every evening, didn’t have to take call, didn’t have to work weekends, just worked out better for our family.”
Yes, I was aware Claire’s husband, Darrell, used to work nights. He was a television sports anchor/reporter at our local NBC affiliate.
“It turned out to be a really good move.”
Claire kept saying “Yes”. She became the health system’s Patient Safety Officer, Vice President of Quality, and is now Senior Vice President of Quality and Clinical Performance.
But along the way, Claire has kept something on the down-low. Her great grandfather was Dr. Joseph E. Knighton. Yep. That Knighton.
“I wanted to come home (from Vanderbilt). I wanted to start my nursing career, and I didn’t want either the pressure of being Dr. Knighton’s great granddaughter, or the expectation of any privileges. I wanted to start as a staff nurse and earn the respect of the people I worked with.”
Even though she had a full-time, often times stressful job, Claire looked for ways to give back to her community. For 10 years, she was the coordinator of Vacation Bible School at St. Mark’s Cathedral, where her two children attended and where Claire had attended. She was also a member of the Junior League of Shreveport.
“It was always instilled in me to do more – to give back, however you can. It may be at work. It may be at church. It may be in the community. You have been given talents and riches, and you need to give those back. I feel like it’s part of my faith.”
Claire’s “faith” led her to join the Independence Bowl Foundation almost 20 years ago. Once again, she kept saying “Yes”, when asked to take on more responsibility. For the past year, Claire has been the face of one of America’s longest-running (48th year) college football bowl games, traveling the country, selling athletic directors and head coaches on everything Shreveport-Bossier has to offer.
Not bad for a kid who grew up watching ball with her dad.
“I grew up loving college football. My father had two girls, and I was the oldest (by six years). I was his football-watching buddy. He was a Dallas Cowboys fan, so I grew up watching the Cowboys. He was very much a teacher, so he would talk to me about positions and plays. Then, I went to Vanderbilt. At Vanderbilt, the most exciting thing was getting to see the other teams which came to Vanderbilt. I saw (Heisman Trophy winner) Herschel Walker and all the big names the SEC brought to town. When I came back here and my husband was a sportscaster, I started attending Independence Bowls with him.”
So, imagine the thrill when last June at the Big 12 Conference meetings in Scottsdale, Arizona, Claire – from across a hotel ballroom – made eye contact with Texas Tech head coach Joey McGuire. Mc Guire’s team played in last year’s Independence Bowl.
“He stops what he’s doing, gestures with his hands (as to indicate he will be right back), and quickly walks over to us. He hugs my husband and he hugs me. ‘Independence Bowl, I can’t thank you enough for the experience my (players) got to have, being in Shreveport and being part of the Independence Bowl.’ We talked a long time about what he enjoyed and why he enjoyed it. He said it was the people. It was the hospitality. It was the food. It was everything we offer that other bowls might not.”
Wonder what Claire’s old football-watching buddy would have thought?
Claire’s lips quivered. Her eyes became red. A tear fell onto her left cheek.
“I think he would be very proud. I think he would be very proud.”
Guessing Claire had other things to do – she is Chair of a bowl game, for cryin’ out loud – I thought it time to ask my final question. As always, what is it about her story that can be inspirational to others?
“Take advantage of any opportunity that is presented. Say “Yes” if somebody asks if you would like to take on a challenge. Don’t question yourself. Trust that those who are asking you know that you can do it, or feel you have the gifts and talents to be successful. If I worried too much, or questioned too much, I think of all the opportunities I would have missed – particularly with this. It had been quite a while since a woman had been involved. Certainly not somebody who played football or worked in football. But they trusted me, and it’s been an incredible experience. Say “Yes”.
Do you know someone with a story? Email SBJTonyT@gmail.com.
The Journal’s weekly “What’s Your Story?” series is sponsored by Morris & Dewett Injury Lawyers.