Mrs. Frantz is not only a teacher but also a referee. On September 22 in Las Vegas, she went to be an American Ninja Warrior. However, the show will air sometime in 2025.
She aims to raise awareness about the mistreatment of referees, particularly in youth sports.
“After a particularly frustrating lacrosse tournament I reffed this summer, I felt the need to speak out about the poor treatment of referees, especially in youth sports. I applied and made the application video just to feel like I was speaking out for referees. I didn’t expect they would choose me, but ANW is a reality TV show; they like the human interest stories as much as they like the good competitors,” stated Frantz.
She exemplifies qualities educators should embody: compassion and genuine investment in her students’ well-being. Being on the show will help her see how appreciated she is.
Abishard Archille, a senior at Totino-Grace who has lived with Frantz and her family for about two years, said: “She’s an amazing referee, but even the best have experiences. Frantz will send a message to the world about how referees shouldn’t be treated.”
The school community will eagerly wait to hear the news and celebrate her participation. “I plan for our school to host a view party. Totino-Grace will definitely host one,” said Dr. Junker, the president of Totino-Grace.
While the seniors may not be at Totino-Grace when the show airs and for the viewing party, I am confident that most will watch Frantz from home or elsewhere.
Frantz has been training for this opportunity for over five years, working on obstacles at the ninja gym three times a week and exercising six days per week. While she doesn’t believe winning is a possibility, everyone around her is confident in her abilities.
Dr. Junker mentioned, “Mrs. Frantz plays to win. She’s not competing to lose. That’s the way I am looking at this competition, as well. Mrs. Frantz can do it. I want her to feel the support of our school.”
TV Insider highlighted Vance Walker as the first back-to-back winner on ANW. He never imagined he could win even once, let alone twice, showing that anything can happen if you believe in yourself: Frantz has a chance to win.
If she doesn’t win, she can always return to compete again if she chooses. “There’s no chance at all of me winning, and I wouldn’t even begin to think like that. I really just want to get my message out for referees everywhere,” she stated.
NBC Insider has also featured Maddy Howard’s ANW journey. An ICU nurse and five-time competitor, she has never won but made it to the women’s championship during season 12, ending that season with the second fastest time.
No one knows what will happen to Frantz during this competition, but we do know she will give her all—not just to win but to advocate for referees and their treatment.
“I need to trust my training and not let distractions affect me, as I do in the classroom and on the field. It’s hard though; I sometimes lose my cool or focus,” Frantz admitted.
Her experiences as a teacher have given her unique perspectives and skills that could offer her unexpected advantages on ANW, potentially leading her to victory.
