Big sister is more than proud of little sister’s accomplishments

Anderson County assistant coach Charlotte Holtzclaw has thrived with busy schedule, multiple roles

By Bridget Chilton Wells

I have had many titles throughout my life: student, athlete, teacher, youth minister, administrator, wife, mother, and daughter, but one of the greatest blessings has been the title of big sister. 

As the oldest of three girls, I have certainly been a mentor and advocate for my two sisters, Katina and Charlotte, and I’ve probably been an overprotective mother-hen more times than they wanted. However, mostly, I just try to be there to motivate and encourage them as their sister and fan.

When I was in third grade, my mom gave birth to my youngest sister, Charlotte Holtzclaw.  I swelled with pride to have this little baby girl come into my life. I loved the fact that I could hold her, change her, and watch as she took her first steps and learned her first words.  It was almost like having a live baby doll at that age.

Charlotte was in the early years of elementary school when I played high school sports (basketball and softball) at Mercer County. She would make me signs and send me sweet notes when I went to basketball camps.  

In college, I would take her to Eastern Kentucky University “Lil Sibs” weekend. I  loved the fact that I had her little eyes watching me. And years later, when she wore a Lady Scotties jersey with my No. 24 and played not only the same sports, but also the same positions as me, well, again… I beamed with pride.

Oh, I’m not going to claim it was all sunshine and roses because when she was in middle school, and I was in my early 20s, there were plenty of times her “whatevers” and “eye-rolling” got on my nerves. 

Moreover, I know that there were a few times when she was annoyed by me, too. Let’s just say that I heard, “I already have a mother; I don’t need another” on more than one occasion during her teen-age years.   

Fast forward, when I had been working at Anderson County High School and had become an avid fan of all things Bearcats, I was chatting with Clay Birdwhistell, who said he and Coach Tony Kays were looking for like-minded coaches to take over the middle school program that Birdwhistell had been leading.

Frankly, I had gone into education, thinking that I would coach someday, but I detoured secondary education for six years and worked at the university level, then became a mother my first year of teaching, and followed that up with a second master’s degree to become a principal, which began the seventh year into my ACHS stint. 

So, my coaching career was not necessarily feasible; thus, I recommended the next best possibility to Birdwhistell: my baby sister.

Charlotte met with Coach Kays and his staff, then immediately began her journey as a sideline staple for the Anderson County Middle School Mustangs and Anderson Elite girls’ basketball programs.  

“Charlotte spent 8 seasons at ACMS, helping to build the foundation of our program. She is a tireless worker. An advocate for kids. And, a talented teacher of the game of basketball. Simply put, she is one of the best that our program has ever had,” stated Coach Birdwhistell.

Since feeder programs are extremely important to the development of the high school organization, Charlotte became a contributing factor to the success of Lady Bearcat Basketball.

“Charlotte is one of a kind. She never wanted to be the center of attention; she didn’t care if people knew who she was. She just coached and left everything out there for us. She may have the title of ‘assistant’ but she’s so much more than that. Every girl that has played girls basketball in the time that Charlotte has been there from elite to high school has been blessed,” stated Tiffani Riley, one of Anderson’s Top 50 girls’ basketball players.

After Coach Kays’ retirement and Coach Birdwhistell’s promotion to the helm, Charlotte moved up to coaching on the high school staff, while continuing with the summer and early fall middle school schedule. She served as head coach for the freshman team and as an assistant on JV and varsity. 

The more involved little sis became– the prouder her big sister became.  

Another top 50 Lady Bearcat and current Georgetown Tiger, Sophie Smith, added, “Charlotte was one of the best assistant coaches I had throughout my career at ACHS. She was always someone we could count on no matter what we needed. She always tried to lead us in the right direction on and off the court. I miss all the fun and serious times playing for her! The program sure is lucky to have her on staff.”

Charlotte had initially graduated from EKU in 2004, with a degree in Animal Science.  She spent almost a decade working for Rood and Riddle Animal Hospital in Lexington before marrying her husband, Chris, who had been living down near Monticello managing a chicken farm.  

The two had met years earlier while taking classes together in college. When Charlotte returned to central Kentucky with her family, she sought a school position to be with her daughter, Sagan.

After serving as a special education aide at Robert B. Turner Elementary for several years, Charlotte moved up to school bookkeeper and attendance clerk.  

In 2018, she was hired as a first grade teacher and returned to college to acquire an elementary education degree– all while maintaining her various coaching duties, as well as parenting her toddler, Slate, and pre-teen Sagan.  

Along here is where big sis started coaching up little sis about her overflowing plate. To which she responded something like, “Hi, pot. I’m kettle.” 

“She often missed time that she could have spent with her family because she was at practice, games, or even staying after to scout, and she did not want anything in return other than for us to give it our all. I appreciate all the time, effort and dedication she has put and continues to put into our program, and especially all the times she helped me, whether that meant staying after practice and rebounding for me or having deep conversations about life,” shared Jacie Chesser, Top 50 Lady Bearcat and current Midway player.

Perhaps, I should just say staying busy and working hard is the Chilton way, and my little sister has worked very hard to get where she is today.  I often hear community members (many of my former students) reference how much their children love that fourth grade science teacher at Turner, “Mrs. Hold or Holt something”. And I’ll say, “Yes, that’s Mrs. Holtzclaw, and she is my little sister.” 

In her teacher spotlight on Facebook, RBT staff stated, “Charlotte engages students through a variety of hands-on learning experiences. She has implemented a fourth grade Gardening Club and plans to add a Titan Farm and Agriculture Club in the future.”

Mrs. Holtzclaw has become an innovative teacher in the classroom, committed to discovery learning and critical thinking for her students. When I was an administrator in the district, I loved when I had the chance to go in and see her with her students in action.  

She has obtained agriculture grants and instituted raised beds for her students to learn how to grow vegetables and create pollinator gardens. She is revamping the Turner nature trail and also takes all Turner fourth graders to 4-H Camp every year.

Charlotte’s work doesn’t just stop with the Anderson County school system. In 2023, she became a licensed Kentucky High School Athletic Association referee for basketball, where she officiates in the 12th Region, not to be conflicted with the 8th Region, home of the Bearcats, where she coaches. 

Whether she is standing on the sidelines or running down the court, Charlotte has become a role model for many young female athletes. 

“Charlotte is a great mentor on and off the court. Many times throughout my career we would bump heads, but that was because we were both so competitive. Charlotte is a coach that wants to win; she will do whatever she has to win. She is one of the most dedicated coaches; she shows up everyday,” said Chesser.

While I enjoy seeing her thrive in all facets of her work, nothing has made me prouder than watching her lead activities as a mother and Christian in our small, country church, Claylick United Methodist, where our children are the eighth generation of Chiltons.  

From singing in the choir to teaching Sunday School, she is an active member of our church family. Just like she has been tasked with leading as an educator, the pastors and congregation have asked for her continued service, especially with children’s activities.

There are many days I know Charlotte is stretched thin, but if a church activity needs a volunteer or a ballgame needs an official, she tackles the assignment with ease – always putting Jesus and others before herself.

 Riley added, “Charlotte was the glue our team needed. She went above and beyond for every girl on our team. She was the team mom, the friend, and the coach all in one. We wouldn’t have been the team we were without her. She pushed us, but no doubt she loved us as her own. Charlotte was one I could talk to about anything and everything. I actually tried to convince her to come coach at Asbury (University) so I didn’t have to play without her! Outside of basketball, Charlotte still made a point to be there for us. She always showed up, for the highs and the lows. She was there for me when I lost my grandfather and at my baptism and all the in between.” 

Some may wonder if the competitive former athlete in me ever gets envious that my little sister has won multiple regional championships and coached from the sidelines of Rupp Arena in four Sweet Sixteens – a feat I never accomplished myself.  

The answer is simply, “No, I couldn’t be prouder.” She not only knows how much I love cheering on the Lady Bearcats, but that my excitement includes her as well… because I will always be her big sister, her protector, and of course, her biggest fan.