Do you know Ms. Hasken?

I was born in Davenport, Iowa, on June 15, 1982.  I moved back to Illinois and lived in Savanna and Galena before settling down in German Valley.  German Valley is consolidated with Forreston, Baileyville, Leaf River and Adeline to make up the Forrestville Valley School District.  So, I attended many different schools during my elementary, middle and secondary years.  That's what makes working at River Ridge feel like home - there are students from different communities combined together as one.

While at FHS, I was a three-sport athlete all four years - participating in volleyball, cheerleading and track.  I won the most Varsity letters of any athlete in my class; I guess being the only 3-sport athlete made it easy to do.  Additionally, I served as track captain my senior year and qualified for the state track meet 2 years consecutively - once for the 400m relay and twice for the 800m medley relay.  I was voted head cheerleader my senior year and qualified as a UCA All-Star at summer camp.  I was also in National Honor Society, SADD, Yearbook and Web Staff.

I graduated Salutatorian of Forreston High School's Class of 2000 and decided to continue my education at Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa.  I was able to graduate from Loras in the Winter of 2003 Cum Laude with a Bachelors in Business.  But, after working in the business world for many years (prior to and during college), I decided that it wasn't exactly for me.  I changed my life's path and decided to pursue my education in, well, education.  So, I began my Masters work at Roosevelt University in Schaumburg, Illinois, during the Spring of 2004.  While at RU, I found out that the state had a provisional certificate program; it was through that course of action that I was able to obtain my current position at River Ridge.

I began my teaching career here in the Fall of 2004, and I have loved every minute of it.  I have coached high school and middle school athletics; I am currently the middle school 7th grade volleyball & cheerleading coach. In addition, I also am in charge of the preschool-8 yearbook and school website.  I started my coursework at the University of Phoenix Online in the Fall of 2005 where I have continued to work toward that Masters degree I began in the Spring of 2004; I graduated from UOP on June 9, 2007.

In my free time (when there is free time), I enjoy hanging out with friends and family, watching movies/tv, and cooking/baking (just ask my students...I bring them treats occasionally).  I just finished building a house in Elizabeth, too (thanks to the wonderful Jo Daviess Carroll Vocational Center construction trades class).  One of my main interests is definitely stock car racing.  Growing up with 3 brothers made me appreciate a good race more than most girls - whether it's on dirt or pavement - "I feel the need, the need for speed!"  And, many say I drive my Mariner like a race car, but what can I say, "This has pedals like a race car.  They're really close together.  So, it's probably easier for a woman to drive because they have little feet."  See, told you I liked movies! :)

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Miss Hasken's Favorite NASCAR Driver - Elliott Sadler #19 (now)!!!!

Click the thumbnails below for great pics of Elliott and other NASCAR stars from Michigan International Speedway - June 2005...new pics from the 2010 Brickyard to come!