Megan Poole — Hard Work
Class of 2021 | Charger Cross-Country/Track & Field | Osseo, MI
WORDS and PHOTO: Calli Townsend
Mile repeats at 5:30 a.m. might not seem too daunting to Megan Poole. Running cross country and track in high school was not always easy, as she dealt with anemia and back pains. However, by her senior year, her coach encouraged her to pursue running at the college level, and that's just what she did. Growing up on a farm, the daily barn chores and the late evenings of baling hay taught her great lessons in great effort and discipline.
"It's easier to do the hard things you really don't want to do," she said. "You're trained to just keep going."
Now her 11-year old brother, Reece, has become more involved with the animals, which includes taking care of horses, alpacas, chickens and a cat.
"And the cat has a strange, friendly relationship with one of the alpacas," she said.
Megan was also involved in 4-H for 10 years. She began when she was just six years old, and as soon as she was old enough to show animals, she brought sheep, chickens, and ducks to the famous Hillsdale County Fair.
"I would spend every day at the fair if I could," she said. " I was close this year. I think I was there for five days. The fair is a huge part of my childhood."
As she got older, she traded showing animals for working construction with her dad. Being a young girl working in a construction zone has brought may strange looks her way, but she says she loves the work. Her favorite job is framing and tiling.
"I've had people ask me, 'So do you use a hammer?'" she said. "Or they would say, 'You don't use a saw, do you?'"
This doesn't deter Megan from working alongside her dad, who she says is more like a friend than a dad. And on the job site treats her like an equal.
Her parents have been two of the most influential people in her life. While seeing her dad on the job and working with him, she has learned a lot more than how to use power tools.
"He taught me to do the right thing, even when it's hard," she said. "A lot of time in construction people skip certain things, but we do it the right way, even if it's more work."
Megan occasionally gets to see her mom on the job as well. Mrs. Poole works as an event coordinator in the Hillsdale College admissions office.
"On the rare occasion that I'm feeling bored, I'll go harass her on campus," Megan said.
When she's not running, studying or working, you might find Megan with her family. She is the oldest of four children and enjoys spending time with her younger siblings.
As Reece and her other 15-year old sister, Macy, were growing up, Megan wasn't old enough to be as involved in taking care of them. But now she gets another chance with Ruby, her 2-year old sister.
"It's a blast having a little sister," she said. "It's cool to be able to carry her around and take her places."
Her love for children extends her family. Megan is currently studying to be a pediatrician.
"I just really think medicine is cool and I really love kids," she said. "I thought about being just a baby doctor, but being a pediatrician will be fun with lots of kids."
From construction sites to the track, Megan never forgets the values her father instilled in her. Whether she's studying for class or training for a conference championship, she works her hardest.