NL GRAD LEXUS CHILDS-HARRIS AND MOM SENDRA
There haven't been many more important female athletes in the history of New London High than Lexus Childs-Harris, the captain and conscience of the 2013 girls' basketball team that won a state championship. It was the first state title for any girls' team in New London in 35 years. And no matter where the Whalers happened to be playing, Lexus' mom, Sendra, made every game. "Every single milestone in my life she's been there and I can remember vividly, from the sideline of basketball games to graduations and even my first heartbreak," Childs-Harris said. "She has always been there. She is now not just my mom, but she is my best friend. She has done all of the parenting and teaching. I'm at the age where we can be great friends too. Her parenting is done, it's now her time to enjoy her product." Sendra has worked as a longtime bus driver for the Southeast Area Transit District, often up well before everyone else in the morning. She's been a bus driver for her family in many ways, too, offering all the pick-me-ups they've ever needed. "My mom has always been there for me. I can't think of a moment where she hasn't been there by my side," Childs-Harris said. "Ever since I was a little girl I've known that I could count on my mother. She is the reason I am where I am today. She taught me how to be a strong independent woman and all the do's and don'ts that I will forever keep with me as I have grown into my own woman." Childs-Harris, is older now, a college graduate, spending time wondering how her mom made it all work for her and her two brothers. "I often times ask her how she did it," Childs-Harris said. "I think about some day when I become a parent, how do I successfully guide my children to greatness and a solid set of morals as she did? I aspire to be the mom that she was to my siblings and me. She has always led by example. I am now graduated with my second bachelor's degree in nursing. I will be working as a nurse while aspiring to become a midwife within the next couple of years. I've accomplished so much this far because of my mom and I don't know how I could ever repay her for her years of endless unconditional support and love."