This week’s alumni who has decided to once again call Eagle Grove home to live, work, and play is Radney Roosa. Roosa graduated from Eagle Grove High School in 2012, and after leaving for college and some work experience, returned back to his hometown in 2019.
After high school graduation, Roosa began his college career at Iowa Central, where he finished his A.A. credits he earned from dual credit classes at EGHS. After completing his A.A. degree in one year at Iowa Central, he transferred to the University of Northern Iowa where he earned a B.A. degree in Physical Education with a Health Minor, graduating in December of 2015.
“My plan after high school was to go with the flow, wherever life took me I was going,” said Roosa. “I ended up getting my first teaching job in Fort Dodge. After three years of teaching and coaching at FDCSD, I got the opportunity to come back home.”
He fills many roles with the Eagle Grove Area Community School District, teaching physical education at the high school, as well as coaching high school girls basketball and boys track. Additionally, he is part of the high school TLC/Leadership team.
When it comes to the teaching community, Roosa said he enjoys working alongside “phenomenal teachers and leadership.” He noted how the staff in the district has positively impacted his life.
“I strive to make them proud,” he said.
Roosa also believes the school district has added some amazing teachers and staff to the roster over the past few years who go above and beyond.
And of course, he can’t forget about the students.
“We have great students who make being in education enjoyable. I believe the student’s positive behavior reflects the community,” he said.
From a coach’s perspective, Roosa said, “When I was growing up in our community, sports were a big part of my life. The person and professional I am today come from the great coaches and the community support. I look at coaching as an opportunity to give back on what I received. Coaching is the perfect opportunity to build positive relationships and help student-athletes become better people for society.”
In addition to his teaching and coaching roles, Roosa said he loves being back in the Eagle Grove community because it gives him the chance to be close to family again.
“My family is very important to me and I love being a part of my sibling's upcoming,” he explained. “I love having the opportunity to give back to the community that has helped make me who I am.”
Roosa is proud to say he is an Eagle Grove community member and enjoys seeing the growth and success of his hometown.
Roosa is working towards some growth of his own. He is currently pursuing his M.A. degree at Northwestern College for School Administration.
Watch for the next “Home is Where the Heart Is” story on Deb Ryerson in the May 13 edition.
If you are an EGHS alumni who has moved back, or know of someone, please send me an email at news@eaglegroveeagle.com.
