By SANDRA THAMES / Community Columnist

Balancing college classes, a job that consumes 25-30 hours per week and a busy engaged-to-be-married lifestyle is difficult to say the least, but local resident Rachel Krebs is handling it all and doing quite a good job of it.

Twenty-year-old Rachel now attends the University of Montevallo after an initial year at Samford University.

Her desire is to be a teacher so her major is in elementary education.

Krebs carries a full load of class work, taught cheerleading classes at Meadow View Elementary School and works 25-30 hours per week at Paul’s Diamond Center in the Alabaster Promenade.

Employed for four years at Paul’s, Krebs is “part of the family” of this owner and his employees.

“Paul Petro is the best boss ever and lets me work around my school schedule,” says Krebs.

Engaged to marry Chase Lovett, Krebs is a member of a new Baptist church in Alabaster called The Branch at Mission Hills.

Future father-in-law Brook Lovett is the pastor there.

Born and raised locally, Krebs attended Pelham High School, where she was a varsity cheerleader.

She was involved in cheerleading from an early age and attended competitions at Disney and other memorable venues (Opryland, Dallas, Atlanta, New York City and Macy’s Parade) in over 12 years as a cheerleader.

Because of her love of and expertise in cheerleading, Krebs was fortunate to have taught a class of girls at Meadow View Elementary School this past year.

“We practiced motions and jumps,” she said. “They learned a cheer, chant and dance and performed it at the end of the year. We had so much fun.”

Krebs’ favorite pastimes include baking, attending Zumba classes and working out at a local gym.

Krebs’ advice to anyone working and going to school is to “take it one day at the time. Do every task to your full potential and surround yourself with people who are understanding and helpful with your busy schedule.”

A planner is helpful too.

“By teaching, after graduation from college, I hope to touch many children’s lives in and outside the classroom. I would also love to be a cheerleading sponsor for any age group.”