Rayona Sharpnack – Class of 1969

Sparks High has seen some of the best the world has to offer.  People that have left its halls have left memories, traditions, and achievements behind.  Rayona Sharpnack is one of them.  From a Sparks High Railroader to the Founder and CEO of the institute for Women's Leadership, Rayona is a great example of women’s leadership potential.

Rayona Sharnack was born on October 15, 1951 in Susanville, California.  Rayona played basketball, volleyball and softball until the year she graduated in 1969.  She won the Nevada state tennis championship in singles and doubles.  Not only was Rayona involved with sports, she was also President of the Girls’ Athletic Association and played the bass clarinet in the school band.  Rayona then continued her leadership in college just as in high school. Rayona enrolled at UNR, majoring in physical education, getting closer to the goal she had set in the fourth grade…the goal of becoming a physical education teacher.

She graduated with honors with a Bachelor’s degree in physical education.  During her college years, Rayona fought to get Title 9 at UNR.  Loving softball, Rayona then played as a professional player on the San Jose Rainbow Team.  She’s proud to say that her team was the first professional team to be allowed into China during its Communist years.

            In 1991, Rayona founded the Institute for Woman’s Leadership.  She wanted to teach women leadership skills.  Rayona also knew about the inequality women faced in society.  She first recognized it back in high school when all the boys would get more money for college.  Rayona now mentors and coaches’ corporations and individual people in the United States, Australia, and Canada.  As a result of her hard work, she presently is in charge of the Women’s Leadership Board at Harvard University.  Her proudest accomplishment is her daughter, Chelsea.

            Rayona has come a long way from being a Sparks high School Railroader.  She has demonstrated strong leadership and has become a great role model for women all over the world, and better yet to our very own Sparks High students, past, present and future.

Inducted 2007