KC Shields: More than an All-Star

Recent Newcastle graduate KC Shields is known for her outstanding performance on the basketball court - most recently shining at the Texas Six-Man Coaches Association All-Star Girls basketball game - but to her parents, there is much more to KC than meets the eye.

KC is the fourth of eight children, with brothers who are competitive in their own right. This has given KC a strong, competitive nature, KC’s father Jerry Shields said.

“She has always wanted to best her brothers,” he said.

Mr. and Mrs. Shields grew up in Newcastle, and, after some time away, decided to return to their hometown to put down roots.

“Young County is a great place to raise kids,” Jerry said. “One advantage to living in a small town like Newcastle is you have to compete in everything. A small town doesn’t provide a ton of extracurricular activities, and there is no band, so kids either compete in sports or academics.”

KC’s parents said she is wellrounded not just athletically, but also academically. Throughout high school, she played volleyball, basketball, ran cross country, and participated in welding, theater, and U.I.L. debate.

She qualified for regional cross country the three years she participated, and won bronze medals in track two years in a row, just shy of qualifying for the state track meet. She also won the district debate title four years in a row.

However, KC got the chance she was looking for to best her brothers when she qualified for state in academics, where she won the bronze medal in the Lincoln Douglas Debate competition. She graduated from Newcastle high school this year, with all A’s and an associate degree.

KC has proven to be a hardworking and dedicated individual with a passion to excel. Her father said that most days she was off to the gym at 5:45 a.m. to run three miles before school, studied for U.I.L. debate during lunch, then went to either volleyball or basketball practice after school, and upon returning home, would complete her homework and head off to bed to continue her routine the next day.

Next, KC will be attending college to obtain a Bachelor of Science in nursing.

So, what is her secret to success? “Work hard, be involved and drag your parents along for the ride,” Jerry said.