Sara Haines returns to Newton for ‘Voices of Inspiration’ series

You can take the girl out of Iowa, but you can’t take the Iowa out of the girl. That is how television host and Newton native Sara Haines began her speech during the United Way of Jasper County’s “Voices of Inspiration” series on the evening of Aug. 6 inside the conference center of the DMACC Newton Campus.

In an interview with Newton News afterwards, Haines said the Iowa values that she holds deep within her can be attributed to her success. Specifically, it is her strong work ethic and her “Iowa nice” kindness that have helped her journey from an NBC page to co-host of “The View” and host of the game show “The Chase.”

“That’s more professional advice, but when I look at why my life feels so fulfilled it’s because there was a lot of simple life living in Iowa,” Haines said. “It was church and it was school and there wasn’t anything fabulous in town. It was who you were hanging with. And it’s made life so thrilling for me.”

Throughout her career Haines has committed herself to staying true to her values and her humble Midwestern upbringing. As a result, it makes all the lights and bells and whistles from her professional life all the more amazing and gratifying. Haines told Newton News she is constantly reminded of her Iowa roots.

“When I was at ‘The Today Show,’ there’s the plaza (Rockefeller Plaza) and everyone knew if they saw an Iowa sign they would have to come and tell Sara,” she said. “Because I worked behind the scenes actively at the show, not just later in the day. So I would come out and pose with Iowans.”

Newton still feels like home to Haines. Although her immediate family is no longer in town, her hometown family of neighbors and family friends and church friends still are, and many of them were sitting in the front row during her presentation. Afterwards they embraced Haines and spoke of old times and new.

“It’s just so much of who I am,” Haines said. “I’m just so proud of the people, this room — I’m a gushy Iowan, but more so for Newton.”

Jessica Lowe Vokes, executive director of the United Way of Jasper County, said the Voices of Inspiration speaker series is in its “second season” after previously featuring philanthropist Carson King, Native American activist Carol Kramer, NFL player Andre Allen, historian Kevin Mason and Olympian Ben Peterson.

When Lowe Vokes got the idea for the series, Haines was at the top of her list. She wanted a program where Jasper County residents could hear interesting stories from interesting people. Haines was able to fit the event in her schedule and speak about her journey in front of hundreds of people.

“She donated her time and did that for us, which is really amazing,” Lowe Vokes said, noting the series is about promoting lifelong learning by giving people a chance to learn from someone else’s unique perspective. “…To me, this series is part of that extension of offering lifelong learning to folks in a different way.”

The series is made possible by supporters, including Dodd’s Trash Hauling and Recycling, Inc., Pence-Reese Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Ryan’s Tire and Auto, DMACC Newton Campus, Mark and Emily Allen and Erik Vokes and Jessica Lowe Vokes.

Upcoming speakers include: “Final Season” coach Kent Stock on Sept. 12, author Mike Chapman on Sept. 26 and journalist and filmmaker Ty Rushing on Oct. 24.