Top-3 soccer job drew coach to Collierville
Gareth Munro had a pretty good gig going at Briarcrest. He had a good group of boys to work with, a trusted assistant/groundskeeper in Phillip Barker and some terrific facilities. But a chance to join one of the area’s top programs was just too good to pass up.
Munro recently was named soccer coach at Collierville. Unlike at Briarcrest, he’ll coach both the girls and boys teams, replacing Brittany Streger and Drew Hensarling, respectively.
“I told them when I left (Briarcrest) that this was a first for me,” Munro said. “It’s the first time I’m leaving a job where I’m actually happy. But for me, it was a chance to work at one of what I consider are the three biggest soccer programs (in Memphis), Houston, CBHS and Collierville.
“I’m really blessed, and I feel like it’s a terrific opportunity.”
Aside from tradition — the girls and boys teams have combined for 21 state tournament trips — the other big selling point for Munro was a chance to work at Collierville’s new $93.5 million campus that opens next month and will be the showcase public school in the area.
“I mean, two fields, a game field and a practice field,” he said. “We’ll have locker rooms, and I’ll have an office in there, too . ... There were players that could have played at Briarcrest but financially it just wasn’t feasible.”
A native of Scotland, Munro played professionally for Scottish club Stirling
VEX Robotics World Championship held in Louisville, Kentucky, among other awards.
“We’re very proud of everything they’ve accomplished,” said Dr. Edward Ducey, curriculum supervisor at Collierville Schools. Their advice? “Do not be afraid,” Aanchal said. “We want (girls) to be empowered,” Pallavi said. “We want them to know that they can do it.”
Tireless
STEM teacher Tamela Underwood taught Aanchal and Pallavi this year at Collierville High School where they explored learning about catapults, electricity, magnetism and coding. Underwood is one of their inspirations.
“They are incredible girls,” Underwood said. “I’ve never known two girls who work so hard but they enjoy everything they’re doing. They love to be a part of everything and they love to learn new things. They don’t want to be held back. I’ve seen them challenge each other. They always want to try something new.”
When competitors were needed for a team event, Underwood said Aanchal and Pallavi were first to volunteer. And when the staff was moving out of Collierville High School to its new building at the end of the school year, they offered their time to help out.
“They are tireless,” Underwood said. “They’re helpful, they’re energetic, they’re fun to be around. I just can’t say enough. They’re just wonderful little girls. I am so excited to see what they accomplish in this world.”
With women still underrepresented in STEM careers, Underwood encourages girls to get into the field.
“Try new things,” she said. “You’ll be amazed at what you like to do. There are things you never thought you could do. It is amazing the doors it will open if you’re part of the STEM world.”
Aanchal and Pallavi designed a video game that draws attention to animal cruelty by having the players help a dog escape from a puppy mill. Another game they designed aims to bring awareness to the impact of global warming, particularly in Alaska.
Beginning in entrepreneurship, Aanchal and Pallavi also knew they loved crafts, so their mother suggested pom poms for their first business. They started creating pompom balls, but said they were not very good at first — too rough and not circular. The girls began brainstorming ideas, collected feedback and learned not to get too attached to their prototype.
They improvised, added embellishments and soon had the makings of their business, Pompom Depot. Their products include key chains, pencil toppers and earrings all bearing the girls’ signature handmade yarn pom poms. They launched a website and Instagram page, and set up a booth at Collierville’s town square fair.
Their business got even more exposure through a children’s business fair for the greater Memphis area and by having a stall at the Memphis flea market.
They donated the first 10 percent of their earnings to the Collierville Animal Shelter.
Future engineers
Dr. Stephanie Ivey, a professor with the Department of Civil Engineering at the University of Memphis, has known Aanchal and Pallavi since they were in middle school attending the university’s Girls Experiencing Engineering Program, which Ivey co-directs.
Through the program, girls are taught that engineering offers creative and practical careers that are “absolutely a fantastic fit for women,” Ivey said.
“(Engineering) is exciting, it’s challenging and it makes a positive impact,” Ivey said.
During the program, she said Aanchal and Pallavi stood out for their excitement and enthusiasm.
“They came back every single summer,” Ivey said.
Aanchal plans to become a biomedical engineer and make prosthetics for animals. Pallavi plans to become a mechanical engineer for NASA or Boeing, either working on planes or space rovers.
Sitting near her daughters at the Collierville United Methodist Church this week after they spoke to kids about starting up a business, their mom said she has no doubt Aanchal and Pallavi are going to be agents for positive change.
“They’ll make their own place in this world,” she said. “And they’ll make this world a better place to live in.”