Testimonial from Erica Shipman

Coach Castillo changed my life.

Growing up, I didn’t have much to look forward to. Life at home wasn’t easy, and I carried more than a kid ever should, like a lot of us did. I wasn’t athletic, and PE didn’t come naturally to me, but Coach never made me feel like I didn’t belong. His voice, his encouragement, and his presence became a kind of anchor in a time of chaos.

I remember cool-down time being the only moment in my day that felt peaceful. I’d quietly cry, not because of PE, but because it was finally quiet enough to let it out. And Coach, whether he realized it or not, created that space for me. A space where I felt safe enough to feel.

Coach Castillo didn’t just teach us to move our bodies, he taught us how to believe in ourselves. How to try again. How to show up with integrity. He never made anyone feel small for struggling; he just kept showing up for us with kindness and purpose.

Now, as a parent, I carry so much of what he taught me into the way I raise my own child. I try to lead with patience. I try to see my child as a whole person. And I try to offer the same kind of steady encouragement Coach once gave me, by teaching that everyday we strive to be better and better.

Thank you, Coach Castillo, for being one of the bright lights in my childhood. You made more of a difference than you’ll ever know. I’m glad this page is here. 🫶🏻

— Erica Shipman, Former Student