One week ago, Monday, April 3, was an inspirational time at Western Nebraska Community College’s Theatre when former high school volleyball coach and author of “The Miracle Season” Kathy Bresnahan came to the Panhandle to give an inspirational message.

Bresnahan’s message to those in attendance April 3 at WNCC to the high school, college, and adults in attendance was “You can make a difference.”

Bresnahan said that because of what her star setter, Caroline Found, meant to the team, the school, and the community, is why she is sharing this inspirational story.

“Each one of you (in the theater) can make a difference. Don’t say, ‘I’m not strong enough or I’m not loud enough.’ There are people there (in the schools) who you can really touch. Look around and find them,” Bresnahan told the nearly 150 people in attendance. “(Found) said she was blessed and that she knew she had a perfect family. She just had the great philosophy of doing one thing every day to make somebody else feel good.”

Bresnahan said what Found did for the town before and after her tragic death in August 2011 is reach out and helped those that needed help, “reached out to the kids who were invisible,” which included having lunch each day with a student with autism who had been eating alone or going trick or treating with special needs classmates.”

Megan Bewley, a WNCC freshman volleyball player from Scottsbluff, found the evening to be inspirational but motivational for the coming year.

“Her main message was about the power of kindness and inclusion, no matter who and in what situation,” Bewley, a Scottsbluff High graduate said. “I think she really motivated others to work towards doing one thing every day that will make someone else’s day better. It doesn’t have to be huge but even the smallest things can make a difference.”

The Scottsbluff High volleyball team had a huge showing at the presentation and junior libero Taylor Hafeman said the night was worth it. Hafeman won the autographed volleyball that was used in the movie.

“When I got the ball signed by Kathy, she made me promise to do something good every day, and I promised I would try my hardest to be that person who brings something special to everyone around me,” Hafeman said.

Hafeman said the evening was one that she will remember as she continues her volleyball playing.

 “I think the night was one to remember,” she said. “It was really inspirational and Kathy was willing to share a personal story, which made me really want to do better in life,” Hafeman said. “I learned to be inclusive and find new ways to make everybody feel a little better about themselves. So, next year as a senior, I will definitely try to brin an enjoyable atmosphere to practice every day.”

The message Bresnahan brought was one that had the players in the audience take notice that there is more to volleyball.

“I learned to always be there for your teammates,” Scottsbluff Bearcat Elle Foote said. “Her message was to be somebody who makes other people feel noticed. The night was cool. It was interesting to listen to her team’s story.”

Bresnahan, who wrote the book “The Miracle Season,” which later was made into a movie by the same name, came to Scottsbluff on Monday to talk about what motivated the Iowa City West volleyball team to win back-to-back titles in 2011 after losing Found, the star setter and the energy of the team. Bresnahan said when she received that phone call about Found’s death, she was in shock.

“I couldn’t breathe. It (the news) just seemed too impossible about somebody who had that amount of energy and had loved this world,” she said. “The thing is you are all going to face loss. It could be your best friend moving, loss of a season because you blew out a knee and can’t play, or loss because a pet or somebody in your family died. The older you are, the more losses you have. This was a huge loss for us, our entire community. The question is, ‘How do you move forward?’”

The team moved forward through Bresnahan and the coming together of the community. Bewley said the night brought the community together.

“The night was really great. It brought the community together and the atmosphere that she created during her speech was the perfect amount of seriousness and joking,” Bewley said. “Kathy not only had an amazing message, but I really enjoyed talking to her and you could see through her interactions with all the guests that she truly enjoys what she does and cared about others.”

The evening was motivational and the volleyball players that were in attendance took a lot from the evening as they get ready for next season.

Morrill volleyball player Mersaydez Carrizales said having an impact on her school and community is important.

“What I took from it was how important it is to always persevere through hard times,” she said. “Also, how one person can have such an impact on everyone around them. I will utilize this by always trying my best to be the most positive teammate on and off of the court.”

Scottsbluff’s Emma Hergenreder, the Bearcat outside hitter, said what she learned was any obstacle is capable of being turned around with the right leadership.

“I learned from Kathy that when times get tough, sometimes all it takes is for one great leader to come in and pick everyone back up,” Hergenreder said. “She brought the message that you can overcome an obstacle that may happen, even in the middle of a season.”

Hergenreder said she was touched by what Bresnahan had to say about that 2011 season and how Caroline Found was so encouraging to just not her teammates, but those in the school and community that needed a special friend.

“I thought that it was a very cool experience to see the author and coach of such an inspirational story. It gave me a new perspective of teamwork and how to overcome obstacles,” Hergenreder said. “Kathy’s story was very touching and will be one that I will always remember.”