Melodie was born and raised in sunny coastal California. She moved to San Diego to attend San Diego State University right out of high school in 2001. At first she was not quite sure what field to go into, but she knew she was interested in the sciences. Having played competitive soccer her whole life, it seemed that Athletic Training was her calling, and she seemed to fall in to it naturally.

She graduated from SDSU in 2006 with a Bachelors of Science in Kinesiology with an emphasis in Athletic Training. She then went on to pass her Board of Certification on the first try in June of 2006. In September of 2006, she interviewed for the head athletic trainer position at the new Canyon Crest Academy High School and was offered the position.

Christina is originally from Spokane, Washington, but after 25 years, grew tired of the snow and moved to San Diego in 2004. She obtained her Bachelors of Science in Physical Education & Health, minor Athletic Training from Eastern Oregon University. She was NATABOC-ATC certified in 2002. Following her undergrad, she accepted a graduate assistantship at Washington State University, (GO COUGS!), where she worked and traveled with the Football and Men's Baseball teams. She graduated from WSU with her Masters in Education, Athletic Administration emphasis in 2004.

Upon her move to sunny San Diego, she was hired at the University of San Diego as Assistant ATC to work and travel with the Women's Basketball and Women's Volleyball teams. Her position was eliminated the following year, so she jumped the freeway and went to SDSU for an interim ATC position with the Women's Basketball, Women's Golf, and Women's Track & Field and Cross Country teams. She was adjunct faculty in SDSU's accredited Athletic Training Program and Clinical Instructor for two years. Which leads Christina now into her second year as the Torrey Pines High School Head Athletic Trainer. She has discovered a newfound joy (and youth!) in athletic training at the high school level. The variety of athletes, sports, and working with such successful programs keeps her busy! Overall, her continuing interest in athletic training is that it is a professional that is always growing and learning new things through the research and advances in medicine. The Bonus: you are required to watch sports as part of the profession!!

When she is not at Gaspar, or at the call of the high school, she enjoys sports, traveling, spending time with family and friends, reading, and enjoying the beautiful city of San Diego!

Aubree Smithey, ATC
Contact: aubrina30@msn.com

I grew up in Los Angeles where I participated in many sports. Out of high school I received a scholarship to play softball for the University of Texas at San Antonio. While at UTSA I was able to get know the ATC's and had a chance to see and understand what the profession entailed. I eventually made my way to San Diego State University where based on my experiences with the athletic trainers and the positive influences they had my life I decided to pursue athletic training. I graduated and became certified in 2007. I became the Head Athletic Trainer of San Dieguito Academy High School this month, February of 2008.

Catherine Bates, ATC
Contact: catie32384@aol.com

Catherine Bates grew up in Altadena, Ca, along with three older siblings. At the age of 8 she fell in love with ice-skating, which lead her to participate in precision ice-skating with San Diego's Team Del Sol. This opportunity took her around the Nation to compete amongst the best teams in the Nation as well as traveled to Milan, Italy to compete amongst the best teams in the world. Catherine's last year in high school marked the end of her ice-skating career, but, was the beginning of a new chapter in her life. Catherine attended San Diego State University where in May 2007 she received her Bachelors degree in Kinesiology with an emphasis in Athletic Training. In December 2007 she received her Certification in Athletic Training and is now the Head Athletic Trainer at La Costa Canyon High School.