MEMPHIS, TENN. — After being involved in cheerleading since her days in elementary school, St. Marys native Kara Detsch officially began a new chapter earlier this year as an ex-collegiate athlete. While the Elk County Catholic product had one final year of eligibility, she transferred from Gannon University to the Southern College of Optometry in Memphis, Tenn.
In doing so, she gave up a final year of college cheer, but accelerated her time to become a medical professional.
“Starting medical school a year early is going to help me financially down the line. COVID-19 did kind of ruin my ending at Gannon and it was hard. I know this touch decision is going to pay off,” Detsch said.
Detsch got her start in cheerleading with St. Marys Sparks competition cheerleading, and eventually became a gameday and competition cheerleader for the St. Marys Cavaliers and then the Elk County Catholic Crusaders cheer teams.
While the former Gannon Knight loved cheer, she never put much thought into continuing her career past high school. It was at a competition at Harbor Creek High School in the Erie area that allowed the Gannon Competition Cheerleading coaches to notice Detsch and offer her a spot in their program.
“I was set on going to Penn State Behrend before that,” Detsch explained. “After a tour of Gannon and learning more about their medical programs, I knew it would be an excellent fit for me.”
Going to Gannon also meant being able to take advantage of the school’s three-plus-four medical degrees in which students attend Gannon for three years, and then attend a list of approved medical schools for four more years. Typical medical schools that have good relationships with Gannon include the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM) and the Pennsylvania School of Optometry in Philadelphia.
However, Detsch was able to get approval to continue her education at a different school, and a change of scenery she lists as a great experience.
“I wake up in the morning and see the Mississippi River out my window,” she said. “I have not had the full experience of Memphis, but the weather has been great and I have settled in pretty well.”
Various people in her life have been an influence in her choosing a career in the medical field, including her mother, Amy, who is a registered nurse. Her older sister is a speech and language pathologist, while her older brother is a physical therapist. Finally, it was working for and shadowing Dr. Mary Reed DaCanal that began to show her that a career as an eye doctor would be enjoyable for her.
So far in semester number seven, Detsch has remained focused on her school work and already has great time management and prioritization skills. Since her days as a three-sport athlete at ECC, she was used to making sure she had enough time to accomplish everything she set out to do.
While in high school, Detsch was a two-time Pennsylvania Volleyball Coaches Association All-State Academic Team selection, a scholar athlete, a high honor roll student and a member of the National Honor Society.
When looking back on her days as an athlete, she lists her favorite memories as the relationships she developed with teammates.
“The bonds and memories with my lifelong friends is what I will always cherish most. College cheer allowed me to also see some great places, but it is really the bonds I will always remember most,” she said.
Detsch will graduate with a degree in biology from Gannon University in May of 2021, and will become an eye doctor in 2024. Later in life, she hopes to return to Elk County and begin her career. Additionally, she is hoping for a return to cheer as a coach as her schedule and time permits.
