Fran of the kids

Local maintains presence at high school

MOSES LAKE — Almost every graduate of Moses Lake High School knows Fran Christensen, either by experience or association.

Fran has worked for the Moses Lake School District for 22 years.

"I used to remember every kid that graduated from the high school," she said. "But after 22 years, with about 300 people per class, they start to blur together."

Before Fran was the right hand of Loren Sandhop, the athletic director of the high school, she worked as the principal's assistant for 13 years.

"When the high school was remodeled, the secretary's position wasn't going to deal with kids anymore," said Fran. "I wanted to have something to do with the kids. I said make the assistant to the athletic director position full time, make it full pay and I'll do it.

"The kids are my favorite part of the job. As long as I like the kids I'll probably stay here."

Fran's love affair with sports began when she was young.

"One year I sold Christmas cards to buy my own tennis racket. I lettered in tennis for four years with that racket. Shortly after I graduated it broke. It nearly broke my heart," Fran said. She also played church league softball, basketball, field hockey and volleyball.

"Softball is my favorite sport," said Fran. "When my daughter was 8, I helped with pitching clinics and coaching and was involved with softball for over eight years."

Along with coaching sports for her children, Fran was also a den mother for the Cub Scouts for three years and the district chairman for Grant County and part of Adams County for 10 years.

"I went to meetings from here to there," Fran said.

Fran grew up in Boardman, Ore., a town of about 280 people.

"When I moved to Moses Lake, I thought I was moving to the city," said Fran with a grin. "I quickly found out Moses Lake is not the city."

Fran acknowledges she would open an arts and crafts store if she had to have another job.

"I do lots of arts and crafts, mostly wood. We built a whole room on to the house for my arts and crafts," Fran said. "When my daughter got married I did the cake, flowers, dresses for the wedding. It's tough when you have to drive to the Tri-Cities or Wenatchee when you need a flower."

When Fran isn't crafting or at work, she is busy being a grandma.

"I have nine grandkids. The youngest lives here in Moses Lake," said Fran. "The best thing about grandkids is they get to go home."

Along with spoiling her grandchildren, Fran is looking forward to seeing them participate in various activities.

"My youngest's dad is 6-foot-7. We have it all figured out. She'll swim and play basketball. We haven't decided about softball or track," Fran said.

Fran proclaims herself a morning person despite the many late nights at sporting events at Moses Lake High School, where her presence is a staple for returning graduates and students alike.

"I usually have two loads of laundry done before I leave the house. I do 90 percent of my housework in the morning," she said.

If she could do anything, Fran says she'd travel.

"I'd start in the United States. See all there was to see and then start overseas."

Amongst her travel destinations, Fran has been to Italy, Greece, Germany, Madrid and Paris.

"I'm taking my sixth trip to Italy this summer," she said.

Some of her travel, including her trip to Greece, was sparked by her husband's work overseas.

"Dave has worked in Lybia, Iran, Iraq. His company sent me to meet him in Greece because I adjusted to the time change better," she said.

Of the places she hasn't been, Fran is most interested in seeing New York at Christmas and the fall colors of New England.

"Those are in the United States. I know I'll get to see those," said Fran.