Apr 25, 2024
Preserving culture and preparing the next generation have characterized Ashleigh Rossi’s life in so many ways. As Memorial Garces High School’s agriculture education teacher and Future Farmers of America (FFA) advisor, she has pioneered a new local program in her professional life. Continuing family traditions is the focus of a role in her private life as a Basque junior dancer instructor. The mom of three runs the Basque Culture Club at Garces, where all things personal and professional come together in service to Kern County’s youth.
Spring is certainly a busy season for Ashleigh, with the school year’s end now on the horizon and the Kern County Basque Club’s annual Basque Festival coming up May 24 through May 27. Lifelong connections to culture underscore her current role.
“My Mom is Basque; her father was Basque. She put me in Basque dancing when I was in Tiny Tots, before kindergarten. That was the culture we celebrated. We went to the festival every year and I danced in it well into my 20s and even while pregnant with my second child,” she explained.
When instructors were needed during her oldest son’s kindergarten year, Ashleigh stepped in with her best friend, Liz, to lead the way for the next generation of Basque dancers.
Ashleigh and her husband, Anthony, are the proud parents of Jackson, 12, Bennett, 9, and
Nicolette, 4. They met through a mutual friend in college and married in 2009. Anthony, a Garces alum, works for Oregon-based Rossi Ranches; Ashleigh attended Bakersfield College and the couple later graduated from the University of California, Fresno before moving back to Kern County.
Now in the sixth, seventh and eighth grade division, Jackson continues to dance, with Nicolette joining soon.
“I think we’re in it for the long haul,” said Ashleigh. “We used to say that if we have to be there every Sunday, we might as well be teaching. I love that the Basque culture has dance to celebrate; it has so much meaning and depth. Bakersfield is rich in Basque connections, which is so special. You can go to Basque restaurants and see pictures of your relatives dancing. I enjoy learning about the dances and costumes and their meanings. I fell in love with that aspect of the culture.”
The Kern County Basque Club began in 1944. This year’s celebration is extra special, with a themed observance of its 80th anniversary. The North American Basque Organization, founded in 1973, is hosting its annual convention in conjunction with the festival, known as Besta, now in its 50th year as well. Dances will take place throughout the weekend, with Ashleigh’s group performing on Sunday.
"It's so heartwarming. Our whole community comes together and people come to enjoy it even if they're not Basque,” said Ashleigh. “It doesn’t matter because you’re immediately immersed in the culture and celebrated. The welcoming nature of it is nice and it’s an unique environment, kind of like a big family reunion. Every year, we see people we know, especially at the annual picnic, some of whom are Basque and many who are not. Come witness it for yourself.”
More information about the 2024 Basque Festival is available at https://kcbasqueclub.com/basque-festival/.
The sense of community that keeps Ashleigh coming back to foster connections is also present in her day job. She started at Garces as a cheerleading coach in 2010 while working for Bolthouse Farms with her degree in agriculture communications - communications/public relations.
“I’m a cradle Catholic, born and raised, and the faith aspect drew me to it. I noticed friends and family who went to Garces often ended up in ag-related careers. The families who were deeply connected to Garces tended to be in that field,” she said.
Ashleigh was hired as director of operations in 2015 and began teaching a class with the understanding she would eventually start an ag program. Now in its sixth year, she oversees 89 students on campus and five graduates who are continuing their post-graduate American degree in FFA.
“My dream is to incorporate agricultural mechanics. I would love to bring that program to the school next,” she said of future plans. “Right now, I am really proud to be able to fulfill students’ needs, meet them where they are and hear what their dreams are.”
Helping students in diverse disciplines just may be the fulfillment of Ashleigh’s dreams, too.
Q&A: Three questions with Ashleigh Rossi
Q. We often talk with mothers in phases of life that can seem lonely or isolating, especially as they raise young children. What advice do you have for respite and renewal for women going through that phase of life?
- It comes down to perspective. Every stage of motherhood grows with the child and it has a weird tendency to tuck away the hard times; blissful moments tend to erase the difficult aspects of being a parent. That's where I depend on my faith too, to be able to ask God for mercy in those moments, because I know it will get better. Parenting ebbs and flows. There's always something coming up and there are moments of joy. I try to see the good in any situation. Disconnecting at times can be important. The laundry or dishes can always be done tomorrow but now is the time our children are young or that we need to rest. I know I’m not alone if someone stops by the house and I have dishes in the sink; the majority of the people stopping by probably don't even see mine and they will only focus on the good, so when I only focus on the good, it’s fine. This too shall pass. Also know that not everything on social media is real. It’s easy to compare yourself and think everything in your life should look neat and tidy but that’s probably not their reality either and could very well be the corner or the moment they’re filming. Even when the good is really hard to see, know that it’s probably God preparing you for something in the future. Whatever happens then, you’ll get through it because you've gone through worse.
Q. What should families in the Kern County area know more about in their community?
A. Definitely Basque culture! The celebration actually celebrates you, too. It's a perfect cocktail of a feel-good event with music all day and everyone feels like family.
Q. What is your parenting PSA?
A. Be proud of doing what works for you. It may not work for someone else or sound good or fit in another family's lifestyle but if everyone is happy and healthy, who cares? Do what works best for you. Whatever works needs to be enough.
Fill-in-the-blank questions:
- I'm always laughing at… The words that come out of my children's mouths.
- The first thing I do when I wake up in the morning is... Get coffee.
- Today, the strangest thing in my purse is... A floral knife; I teach floral; it meets the art requirements.
- My favorite food is... Nachos.
- My favorite dessert is... Cake.
- In my pantry, you will always find... Green beans.
- Before I go out, I always make sure I have... My cell phone.
- My favorite music group is... Miranda Lambert.
- The best book I've read lately is... “The Gift of Imperfection” by Brené Brown
- So far, my best life advice is... Not caring what everyone else thinks. Do what makes you happy.
