Rebecca Ransom -- Teacher’s Aide, Meadow Lane Elementary

Rebecca Ransom grew up in Cottonwood with six siblings where her parents gave each child a musical instrument. Her instrument was the violin which she began playing when she was five years old.

“They wanted us to have an extracurricular talent,” Ransom said, “so we didn’t have idle time to get in trouble.”

Her parents drove her to Sacramento every Sunday for a one-hour violin lesson. Although she isn’t a professional musician, the studies have paid off. Ransom went to fiddle contests monthly and won sixth place in a national tournament in Weiser, Idaho when she was 12.

Ransom played with the Shasta Youth Symphony and various high school orchestras and toured the state playing with the Shasta Old Time Fiddlers.

When she was 16, she started working as a courier for a lawyer in Redding. She then began working for more and more lawyers and opened a courier business, “Shasta Shaggers.” Her husband now operates the business and the business

is known as the David S. Ransom Legal Courier Service.

These days Rebecca works at Meadow Lane Elementary School as a teacher’s aide for a special needs class. After school she studies nursing at Shasta College and gives lessons in fiddle and violin.

Last week she brought her violin to play with a Meadow Lane sing-along. After she played “Orange Blossom Special,” a little girl asked her for her autograph.

“I ended up signing autographs for 24 kids,” Ransom said. “That was the sweetest compliment —it was so stinking cute.”

Ransom’s passion for music is rivaled only by her passion for soccer. All four of her children play.

“We are a soccer family,” Ransom said.

But no matter how much she loves soccer, Ransom is passionate about keeping music education in schools.

“Learning to play an instrument and being able to do something that seemed impossible a few months ago gives them confidence that they can learn other new things,” Ransom said.

Name: Rebecca Elizabeth Ransom.

Born where and when: Mar. 10, 1974, Temple, Texas.

Occupation: Student, violin/fiddle teacher, business owner, mom.

Marital Status: Married to David S. Ransom.

Family: 4 kids: Brandt 14, McKenzie 11, Jaren 6 and Garrett 4.

Pets: A cat —Stryder.

My worst job: I don’t do things that I don’t like!

In my spare time I: Downhill ski, play my violin and enjoy movie night with my kids.

My favorite book: Anything by Author Janet Evanovich.

My favorite movie: Lord of the Rings and Charlotte’s Web.

My favorite recording artist: I like everything from classical to rock.

My dream car: Chrysler 300 series.

My friends like me because: I’m loud and have a great laugh!!

If stranded on a deserted island, I would want: My family—like Swiss Family Robinson.

The one thing in life I’ve learned is: When you do a job, do it the very best you can.

The best advice my parents gave me: Keep your priorities in line.

My most embarrassing moment was: I was admiring a painting at a ritzy restaurant and I fell and hit my head on a door in front of a crowd. I ran out!

My most irrational act: I couldn’t figure out why my car remote wouldn’t unlock my house.

My most valued material possession: My violin.

What I like best about the North State: I love being close to the lakes and mountains.

My pet peeve is: Those who don’t fulfill their commitments.

If I could change one thing about myself I would: Be on time – I seem to always run 5-10 minutes late.

The one thing Shasta County needs most is: Schools that support music programs.