Rhodes-Patterson, who is also a member of the Terrell Tiger Athletic Hall of Fame, began her track and field career as a seventh grade student at Terrell Middle School. She went on to compete in high school, and by her junior year placed third in the state of Texas for the triple jump and earned the state championship the following year. She caught the attention of the University of Texas recruiters during her state competitions, and with the help of fellow THS graduate, Gary Roberson, Rhodes-Patterson traded in her Terrell Tiger red for Texas Longhorn burnt orange on a full-ride Track and Field scholarship.
“It was intimidating stepping onto the campus in Austin, especially coming from a small hometown like Terrell,” Rhodes-Patterson said. “Gary had also won a track state championship with THS and attended the University of Texas following graduation. He was instrumental in recruiting me to Texas.”
Rhodes-Patterson currently resides outside of Austin with her family, but continues to hold a special place in her heart for her hometown.
“Terrell is a very special place, where I spent some of the best days of my life,” Rhodes-Patterson shares. “There is so much untapped potential there.”
Rhodes-Patterson says that given the chance to speak to her former middle school self and other students alike, she would tell them that when you dream big and work hard, the sky is the limit for what you can achieve. She encourages students to not limit themselves, but rather be willing to explore their dreams.
Rhodes-Patterson will be inducted into the University of Texas Hall of Fame on Friday, October 6, 2017 at 11:30 a.m. at The Frank Erwin Center on the University of Texas Campus. She invites her friends, family and classmates to attend. On behalf of Terrell ISD and the Tiger community, congratulations Cynthea for this tremendous honor.