A conversation with self-published author, cheer coach, and leadership teacher Jenay Sherman.

At a Glance:

Can’t live without: Kindle and laptop

How do you recharge: Watching Netflix

Favorite quote: “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness for they will be filled.”

Favorite thing to do: Writing

Advice to younger self: “Get over it. It does not matter.”

Looking Deeper:

The Red Ledger: What brings the most happiness in your life?

Jenay Sherman: My family. I have four boys and they are always here, every night. We love going to movies. We are all here for the Descendants movie, Disney, musicals, and we love basketball.

TRL: What are you most passionate about in your life?

JS: I am passionate about making sure my kids do what is right and they know right from wrong and they actually do those things we teach them. I am also passionate about my faith, and I am passionate about Lovejoy cheer.

TRL: Can you tell us more about your writing career and your path with this?

JS: I finished a book a couple of years ago. Now I’m trying to do the second one and the third one and then the fourth one. I self-published. I published a children’s book and got art for it. My children’s book is about my kids. It was a personal challenge. I wanted to make children with Down syndrome more mainstream.

TRL: How has faith played a significant role in your life?

JS: It was a big thing for me when my son was born with Down syndrome because I was very young, and it was something we were not expecting to happen and didn’t know until he was born. A lot of people in my situation that I know asked a lot of questions like, “Why them? Why did this happen?” However my faith helped me take steps forward and move on.

TRL: What is your philosophy in life?

JS: If anyone has ever done something then I can do it too, but also there is always someone better at it then me.

TRL: If you could describe yourself with a few sentences, what would you say?

JS: The first word is competitive. I am very competitive. I am very motivated and driven. If there is not a clear path to victory, it is hard for me to focus on it. I am 37 and still do not know what I want to be when I grow up.

 TRL: Where did you go to high school and college?

JS: I went to high school in Laramie, Wyo. I was a cheerleader at Plainsmen. My dad moved to Ohio, so I went to college at Ohio University for undergraduate at the University of Dayton for my Masters.

TRL: What are some of your accomplishments that you are most proud of?

JS: My book, and I was the mother of the year of 2017.

TRL: Who do you look up to or appreciate?

JS: I appreciate my son’s experience because he has an experience that is different than mine ever was.

TRL: What are some things you have overcome that have made you stronger and helped you grow as an individual?

JS: As an adolescent, I was the only black student in my graduating class and that gave a different perspective being the extreme minority.  I’m very empathetic for others and can put put myself in other people’s shoes.

TRL: What do you think society needs to bring awareness to?

JS: The way we speak to each other. People don’t realize how things affect them until they actually affect them. If we could get to the place where it’s not always about us we could be more open-minded. We need more kind people and less motives.