All in the Family

Whether it’s celebrating holidays, taking photos, family dinners or games nights, every family has some kind of tradition. For the Allred family, working at Highland is perhaps their biggest tradition of all.
The Allred family has been at Highland for many years. Karrie Allred works in the main office and has been at Highland for 13 years. Allred oversees buses, overnight trips and anything else that comes up in the office.
“I have had four children; six grandchildren graduate from Highland and have two grandchildren that are attending Highland at this time,” Allred said.
Allred and the rest of her family came to Highland because of her husband Geoff Allred. He worked at Highland for 48 years and inspired the rest of his family to come to Highland, whether as an employee or as a student. Everyone in the Allred family loves being at Highland.
“I think the interaction with the students is my favorite part (of Highland). Getting to know them, being able to have the ability to help kids that come in that have problems or don’t know what resources are available,” Allred said.
Allred has become a mom to some of the students and teachers here because of her willingness to help. She has made Highland her family, almost as much as her real family.
One of the main things at Highland that the Allred family teaches and participates in is cheer. Kim VanWagoner, Allred’s daughter, is the head cheer coach. Haley Vaifoou is Allred’s granddaughter; she is one of the assistant cheer coaches and also works in the main office.
This year, Highland cheer has competed in 6 competitions, qualified and competed in state and will be competing in nationals on February 18th. The Allred family has supported and directed Highland cheer throughout all these competitions.
VanWagoner is Allred’s oldest daughter. Along with coaching cheer, she runs the media center, does purchasing for the school and is the administrating assistant. She is a Highland alumnus, but she has worked here for six years.
“My dad did this job (the media center) for most of his career here at Highland. He did this job, and then he helped start freshman success with Dean Collett,” VanWagoner said. “I grew up here.”
Not only do they work at Highland, but there are also students in the family currently attending Highland. Piper Allred is a junior at Highland. She is Karrie Allred’s granddaughter. Piper does cheer and Dance Company. Peyton Allred also attends Highland; she is on the golf team and esports team at Highland. They get to interact with their family at home and at school.
“It has its perks and then it also has its negative stuff,” Piper said. “It is nice because I get to see them all the time, but I can’t really do a ton in school without them knowing all the time.”
Since many members of the family are at Highland, they have to work together a lot. VanWagoner gave insight into how their family works together.
“We just know each other. We know a lot. We know we can get stuff done,” VanWagoner said. “If I can’t do it, I know I can depend on my family to step in and help me get it done. We just know we have each other’s back.”
Allred worked with her two daughters, sister-in-law and her son prior to coming to Highland. Working together is something that they all love. Her sister-in-law works in security at Highland, so they all have continued to work together.
“It is really, really fun. All my careers that I’ve had, I have members of my families support with me,” Allred said. “We have always just gravitated to the same types of careers.”
After working together for so long, the Allred family has learned how to work well together. VanWagoner expressed that they know each other’s strengths and can help each other succeed.
While they developed positive working relationships with their family, they also have developed a fond relationship with Highland.
“I love our staff and administration. I think we have such a great staff. Everything gets run so well, and it makes every day easier. I love the kids,” VanWagoner said. “I just love everything about Highland.”