by Patty Jo Sawvel

Que Tucker (pronounced “Q”) became keenly interested in sports as a freshman.  Her   PE teacher encouraged her to join the basketball team and the rest is history.  Today, Que Tucker is the Deputy Commissioner of the North Carolina High School Athletic Association (NCHSAA)—responsible for ensuring fairness and standardizing regulations in high school sports.

“Athletics helped shape me into who I am today.  I started as a teen in the small town of Reidsville and now I am in a position to interact with 403 high schools.  Wow!  It is such an amazing opportunity to give back and make a difference,” Que said.

In reality, Que had been preparing for this opportunity her whole life.  She lived by her family creed: value what you have, take care of it, and more will be given you.  As simple as it sounds, too many people spend their lives looking at what they do not have, instead of working with what they do have.

So when young Que Tucker had to attend a segregated school, enter the movie theater through the back door, or play basketball on a six-woman team—she did not complain.  She made the best of her situation.

“I came up when America was in transition.  I embraced racial integration, even though the change was challenging at first.  And, I experienced a sense of awe when Title IX (Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972) opened up more opportunities for women in sports,” Que noted.

Que Tucker proved to herself that “the sky is the limit” when you live by three simple rules:  Make good decisions, work hard, and treat other people right.

According to Que, part of making good decisions is choosing your friends wisely.  She said with a laugh, “You catch the flu by hanging around people with the flu.  You catch a positive and winning attitude by hanging around people who already have it.  It is contagious!”

When it comes to hard work, Que turned to the example of her parents, who worked hard just to get indoor plumbing and eventually, a comfortable life.  Que said, “My sister and I could see the value of preparing ourselves with an education and then working hard over a long period of time to see good results.”

So whether Que Tucker was playing ball, coaching under the legendary Kay Yow, or developing the acclaimed NCHSAA Student Services program—she gave 100% of herself to her pursuits.

For her third rule—treat other people right—she again turned to the model of her shoe-shining father and her public school teaching mother.  She recalls, “My parents treated all people the same—black or white, rich or poor.  We respected ourselves and we respected all other people.”

To hear the rest of her story, plan to attend the KCK Lunch & Listen as noted below.  Glenn High School Principal Brad Craddock, who has the rare privilege of serving on NCHSAA board, invited Que Tucker to Kernersville.  He is proud to announce that Que Tucker has been named as the interim commissioner of the NCHSAA starting on June 1, 2015.  Once again, Que Tucker is proof that “The Sky is the Limit.”

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8th Annual Kernersville Cares for Kids Lunch & Listen

Keynote Speaker: Que Tucker – The Sky is the Limit

Date & Time: Tuesday, April 21, 2015 

11:15 Buffet Opens

Place: East Forsyth High School

Tickets: $35 each or $210 for a table with a student guest

For more information, call KCK President Doug Kiger 336.341.8214

www.KernersvilleCaresforKids.org