Caitlin Clark Track Down His Old High School Cook at 80 What Her Does Next Bring the World to Tears!
In the quiet corners of Des Moines, Iowa, where memories linger like the sweet scent of autumn, there lives a woman whose hands once nourished greatness—though she never knew it at the time. Rose Martinez, at 80 years old, spends her days in her modest home, surrounded by photographs of a life dedicated to serving others. For decades, she worked tirelessly as the cook at Des Moines High School, feeding the athletes who would go on to become stars, never expecting recognition for her work.
It was early one morning when Caitlin Clark, one of the biggest names in women’s basketball, came across an old yearbook from her high school days. She was flipping through the pages of the 2019 edition, when a familiar face caught her eye. It was the picture of Rose, the cafeteria cook who had fed her and countless other students. Caitlin’s mind raced back to those days when she was just a hungry teenager, needing fuel for her early morning practices. Rose’s warm smile and the comforting aroma of her homemade dishes were as much a part of Caitlin’s routine as the drills she ran on the court.
Back then, Caitlin was just another athlete trying to make it, and Rose had made sure she never went hungry. Whether it was extra helpings of mashed potatoes or a few more biscuits, Caitlin remembers Rose always noticing when someone needed a little more to keep going. It was a small act of kindness, but it meant everything to Caitlin, especially during those tough early days when basketball seemed like the only escape.
Now, as Caitlin sat in her private office in Chicago, surrounded by her accolades and trophies, she realized that it was time to return the favor. Caitlin had just come off one of the best seasons of her career, with endorsements and a massive bonus that totaled millions. But what really mattered to her wasn’t the money or the fame. It was the people who had helped her along the way—like Rose.
“Caitlin, are you sure about this?” her assistant asked, looking over the plans Caitlin had drawn up for a special surprise. “I mean, it’s a big gesture. Are you ready for it?”
“I have to,” Caitlin replied firmly, a determined look in her eyes. “Rose was there for me when I needed her most. Now, it’s my turn to thank her.”
The next morning, Caitlin made some phone calls. She located Rose in her small home in Des Moines and reached out to the local community center to coordinate a surprise visit. Caitlin wanted to do more than just send a check or a gift—she wanted to be there in person, to look Rose in the eyes and say thank you for all the small things that had made a big difference in her life.
Meanwhile, Rose went about her usual routine. The kitchen filled with the scent of fresh sweet potato biscuits as she prepared for the day ahead. She had heard from a local group about an upcoming interview, but she didn’t think much of it. After all, she was just a cook—a part of the fabric of the school that most people forgot once they graduated.
It wasn’t until the community center called to ask her to change the location for the interview that things started to feel different. “We’ve decided to do the interview at Des Moines High School instead,” the coordinator explained. “We’re going to focus on the school’s history and the impact it’s had on the community. We’d love to have you come and share your story.”
The idea of returning to the school where she had spent so many years cooking for students, watching them grow and leave, made Rose feel a mix of nostalgia and nervous excitement. She hadn’t been back since she retired, and the thought of walking through those familiar halls was both comforting and overwhelming.
When Rose arrived at the school, she was greeted warmly by some of her former colleagues and friends. As they walked her toward the cafeteria, Rose’s eyes filled with emotion. The hallways had changed—new floors, modern lights—but the memories were still alive. She couldn’t help but smile as she thought about the hundreds of students she had fed over the years. As she reached the cafeteria doors, her hand brushed against the familiar handle.
But when the door swung open, what she saw inside took her breath away.
There, standing by the old serving line, was Caitlin Clark.
“Mrs. Martinez,” Caitlin’s voice carried across the quiet room. “I’ve been hoping to thank you for everything you did for me.”
Rose’s heart skipped a beat. “Caitlin? Is it really you?” she whispered, hardly daring to believe her eyes.
“It’s me,” Caitlin said, her voice thick with emotion. “You were always there for me when I was struggling, making sure I had enough to eat before practice. I couldn’t have made it without you.”
Tears welled up in Rose’s eyes as she looked at Caitlin, now a global basketball icon, standing before her. “You grew up so fine, my boy,” Rose said softly, patting Caitlin on the back just as she had done so many years ago.
“I wouldn’t have made it without you,” Caitlin replied, her voice shaky. “All those early mornings, all the extra biscuits… you kept me going.”
Caitlin’s voice trembled as she continued. “I never forgot the kindness you showed me. You didn’t just feed me—you believed in me. You didn’t know it at the time, but you were a huge part of my success.”
The room was silent for a moment, as the magnitude of the moment settled in. Caitlin had returned to thank the woman who had played an instrumental role in her journey—not with fancy gifts or grand gestures, but with a heart full of gratitude.
Rose, still holding back tears, smiled and handed Caitlin a plate of freshly baked sweet potato biscuits. “You always liked these, didn’t you?” she asked, her voice soft and warm.
Caitlin smiled as she took a bite. “Still my favorite,” she said, savoring the taste of the biscuits that had fueled her dreams as a teenager.
As they sat together at the table, Caitlin revealed the reason for her visit. She had established a foundation in Rose’s honor—the Rose Martinez Nutrition and Education Fund—to provide meals for student-athletes who, like Caitlin, needed more than just food to succeed. The foundation would ensure that no athlete went hungry, just as Rose had made sure Caitlin never did.
Rose’s eyes filled with gratitude. “You didn’t have to do this, Caitlin,” she said, her voice thick with emotion.
“Yes, I did,” Caitlin replied. “Because someone like you believed in me when I had nothing. You made sure I had the strength to keep going. Now, I’m going to make sure other kids get the same chance.”
And so, the legacy of a humble cafeteria cook and a basketball legend intertwined in a moment that would never be forgotten. Caitlin Clark had returned to the woman who had fed her body and soul, and in doing so, she ensured that Rose’s kindness would continue to feed the dreams of future generations.
As they shared one last batch of biscuits, Caitlin realized that sometimes the most profound impact comes not from the championships or accolades, but from the simple acts of kindness that shape a person’s life in ways they could never imagine.
Caitlin Clark continues to make headlines, generate increased ticket sales, regardless of where she takes her plays
Former Dowling, Hawkeye star Clark set to compete on the golf course this week after standout debut in WNBA
Is there anything Caitlin Clark cannot do? Well, the former West Des Moines Dowling and University of Iowa superstar is set to test her skills this coming week.
Clark, who was an all-state soccer player at the high school level before focusing on her basketball career, will play in a pro-am ahead of the next LPGA Tour event in the Tampa Bay area this week. She will tee off early in the morning and play against world No. 1 Nelly Korda and perhaps the greatest female golfer of all-time, Annika Sorenstam.
Remember, Clark was not just a star on the basketball court during her high school days. In fact, she probably could have made it on the golf course if not for her love of another sport getting in the way.
In Iowa high school sports, the girls soccer season takes place in the spring. That is the same time for girls golf. Through her first two years as a Maroon, Clark was part of the Dowling program where she shined.
As a sophomore, Clark scored a team-high 19 goals in 14 games, finishing with 77 shots including 70 shots on goal. The Maroons reached the state tournament that season, winning 12 matches overall.
Clark was even better on the pitch as a freshman, tallying 23 goals with three assists in 13 games, recording almost 80 shots.
Her basketball numbers definitely overshadowed what Clark did, as she averaged almost 34 points, eight rebounds and four assists as a senior for Dowling. And we all know what she did during her career as a Hawkeye, leading Iowa to the championship game while earning player of the year accolades.
According to Front Office Sports, Clark’s popularity has already sparked an increase in ticket sales for the pro-am. Her warmup session on the driving range is expected to be live-streamed on social media. As for coverage, Golf Channel’s “Golf Today” program will provide live look-ins, and a walk-and-talk with Clark will be streamed.
This isn’t the first time Clark has hit the course, as she was involved in the pro-am ahead of the PGA Tour John Deere Classic, which is held just outside Iowa City, last year. Clark may have joked that she was going to take up becoming a professional golfer during the offseason, but there really is no doubting that if she wanted to, the sharpshooter could probably make a living on the links.
