Women’s History Month: Richland One employee shares principles she learned as an Olympic athlete with students

Not many people have their own Wikipedia pages, but Chryssandra Hires does.

Hires, who is the in-school suspension (ISS) supervisor at Dreher High School, competed in the 1992 and 1996 Summer Olympics as a member of the United States women’s national handball team.

The two-time Olympian started working in Richland One in 2014 as a substitute teacher and, in 2015, she became a permanent sub. Prior to her current position, she was a classroom monitor.

Hires played basketball and volleyball and ran track at Bristol Eastern High School in Connecticut from 1980 to 1984. She went on to play basketball and run track as a student at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She knew very little about handball.

“We played it a little in PE class but we played a very modified, scaled down version,” said Hires. “I learned the sport on the fly.”

Based on her athleticism and versatility, one of Hires’ professors at UNC-Chapel Hill recommended she try out for the U.S. Team Handball Federation. She was selected to become a part of the permanent resident program in 1988, where she trained with Olympic athletes.

“I loved the speed and intensity of the sport,” said Hires.

She has maintained her interest in handball and holds fast to the wisdom she’s gained as an athlete.

“Sports teach you discipline, how to set goals and reach them, sacrifice, (a) hard work ethic, (to) be humble, (and show) respect and appreciation,” said Hires. “Sports opened so many doors in my life, (and) I appreciate every opportunity I am given.”

When she completed her assignment as an Olympian, Hires decided to move to Columbia, S.C. Having spent time in the city as a child visiting family, Hires thought it might be the ideal place to settle and raise her family.

“I used to visit and spend time off in Columbia with my uncle, the late Magistrate Judge Walter Jones,” she said. “I loved the area, and I wanted my kids in a strong academic setting.”

Richland One was her choice based on research and recommendations, according to Hires. A door opened for her as an employee of Dreher after she enrolled her children and became involved in their education.

Hires, Dreher’s 2022-2023 Classified Employee of the Year, says she follows the same principles in her work that she did as an Olympic athlete.

“I try to work hard and be the best at what I do because it will make the Dreher family better,” she said. “You are only as strong as the weakest link. I refuse to be that link, so I work hard to support our mission and goals of helping the students graduate and become strong.”

Hires said even when students are in ISS, learning still takes place.

“In my room, I always ask the students what their goals are for their teen (and) high school years and (the) next four years after,” she said. “I try to stimulate the conversation with them to think outside of this moment and dream.”

She shares those same nuggets of wisdom with young adults in her role as a basketball official throughout the state at the high school and collegiate levels and in her role as a nutrition and fitness trainer.

Additionally, Hires is readying her children for college, after which she plans to take a vacation – something she said she has never done.

“I have been to some beautiful places but as part of a team and competition, so now I want to explore, relax and enjoy myself,” she said. “(The) goal is to go back to Brazil and enjoy the week of Carnival.”

Hires calls this “outlining her next best life,” with lots of reasons to celebrate on the journey.

“Even the small victories along the way (are) worthwhile and enjoyable,” she adds. “They (are) motivation to keep going for that ultimate prize.”