What are the two words that cause every grade school principal to frown?
Inside recess.
Last week, due to a north wind that sent wind chills into single digits on both sides of zero, Hill City Grade School had quite a lot inside recess. But this week, things were different. This week, we danced.
That, in itself, is not too unusual. For inside recess, we divide the kids into two groups – K-2 and 3-4 – and rotate K-2 students in the gym in the morning and 3-4 students in the gym in the afternoon.
In the gym, we lead the students in organized activities. We have relay races, basketball shooting competitions, games of Simon Says, and the like. We also lead the occasional “dance party.”
Before this week, a dance party meant playing the “Hokey Pokey” or the “Chicken Dance” or several other songs that give instructions. “Step to the left, step to the right, jump three times,” etc. These type of songs focus the kids just enough to keep them from chasing and tackling, roughhousing and horse playing. But even with these songs, there is still the occasional student who loses focus, giving the principal or recess monitor reason to frown.
This week, however, was different. Technology came to our rescue.
You may have read in this very paper that our grade school was awarded $1000.00 for the purchase of a Nintendo Wii Game System, projector, sound system, and software. At the beginning of January, we placed the order for all the equipment and our grade school custodian began work on a customized rolling cabinet to securely hold everything.
The money came from the Healthy Habits for Life Grant and we had planned to use the game system to both supplement our PE curriculum and for inside recess. The equipment was delivered, the cabinet built, and on Monday I finally got all the pieces in place.
So when the weather turned cold on Tuesday, I was ready. I wheeled our new cart out of my office like a kid taking out a new bicycle for the first time. Students who saw me wheel it into the gym stopped and stared. “What is that?” they asked. “Is that a Nintendo Wii?”
The K-2 student who filed into the gym that morning were buzzing with excitement. “I have one of those at home!” some exclaimed! “Do we get to play with that today?” others asked with excitement.
I put in the game, “Just Dance For Kids.” I turned on the projector and sound system. The opening screen appeared big and beautiful on the wall, and the speakers played the opening music loud and clear. The kids clapped and cheered.
I went to the song selection screen, and scrolled through a few choices before the kids joined in a chorus of, “That one! That one!”
I hit play. On the screen appeared three kid dancers, all the same age as the kids in the gym. The song started and something magical happened: every single K-2 student in our gym stopped talking and started dancing.
Unlike my old dance parties, where the students had to listen to instructions, with the Nintendo Wii, they could see the dance moves they were to perform. There was no ambiguity, no long breaks between called instructions, just synchronized dance moves, one after another after another, for each and every song.
The point of the game is to hold the Wii controller (which is wireless) and to move it with your hand in time with the dancers on the screen. As the screen dancers hand raises, so should yours. As it twirls, so should yours. You are awarded points for your ability to keep up.
I could have set the game up for as many as four players (we were able to purchase four controllers with the grant money), but earning points was not the…well…point…of this inside recess. In fact, the students seemed convinced that they were earning points, as evident by their total concentration. A casual observer would have thought that all eighty students had controllers and that the game was keeping track of eighty different scores. Their attention to the dance moves was that complete.
It was the easiest inside recess I’ve ever led. Zero discipline problems and 100% participation. After the last dance, the students were suitably worn down, breathing hard but happy. They lined up without fuss and went back to class as calm as I can ever remember seeing.
I suppose their transformation from frenetic to focused might have something to do with the fact that this is a new thing in our school. It might have to do with the fact that so many of our students are used to playing video games at home and thus were captivated by the prospect of playing them at school. Or maybe it is just the game itself: Just Dance For Kids has great songs and easy dance moves performed by kids for kids.
Whatever the reason, I am proud to say that our new Nintendo Wii Game System was an instance and smashing success, both with inside recess and later in our PE classes.
I don’t know if I’ll use it for every inside recess (don’t want the student to grow bored with it!) but I’ll use it plenty. Now the two words that used to make me frown have been replaced by two words that make me smile: Wii Dance!
Grace Under Pressure (01-16-12)
The crowd fell silent. The only sound came from the injured player, as she cried in pain, slapping the floor in frustration with one hand while grasping her ankle with the other.
The other players had returned to their benches while the coach squatted next to the injured player. I have often wondered what a coach says to an athlete in pain. I don’t know the words he used on this occasion, but his posture radiated calm and concern, and soon the player regained her composure, stood, and limped off the court. We applauded the student’s courage and the fact that she could exit under her own steam. But on our side, the side of the injured player, our relief was quickly replaced by concern for the game.
This all happened last Thursday, at the MCEL Junior High League Championship in Plainville. Our undefeated Lady Ringnecks were playing the Lady Ellis Railroaders for the title. The game began well, with our girls hitting a couple of jump shots and pulling out to an early lead.
However, all was not smooth. One of our starting players was called for a foul, and then another and then one more. Coach sat her on the bench and put in our only bench player. The Eighth Grade Lady Ringnecks, you see, have only six players on the entire team.
And then one of her teammates went down. The court cleared and the crowd grew silent. From the way she hopped and limped back to the bench, it seemed doubtful that that Lady Ringneck would return. That left only five girls, one with three fouls.
Make that four. Because soon after the injury, she was whistled for her fourth foul. Coach had to leave her in. He had no choice.
Mercifully, half time finally arrived, with the Lady Ringnecks clinging to a slim lead. The Hill City fans watched the injured player, now with a large ice pack strapped to her ankle, as she painfully made her way to the locker room. People wondered if we might have to finish the game with just four players.
Ten minutes later, the girls came out of the locker room, and to our relief and surprise, the injured player, her ankle now heavily taped, began warming up for the second half. She moved gingerly, but still took shots with an injured limb.
When the half began, she had joined her team, along with the bench sub. The player with four fouls remained on the bench.
The second half was an exhibition of how young players handle immense pressure. With the score close the entire game, the final outcome was always up for grabs. The players felt the pressure to make plays, and this led to many turnovers, missed shots, and mental mistakes.
Yet, somehow, the girls on both sides also made play after play. At one point we made three shots in a row to boost our lead all the way to seven. But then Ellis came back, cutting the lead to a single point.
With less than three minutes to play in the game, coach put back in the starter with four fouls, and she managed to play tough without fouling out. In fact, she made the last shot of the game, extending a fragile two-point lead to four with just seconds left.
And just like that, our Hill City Junior High School Eighth Grade Lady Ringnecks were the MCEL Champions, finishing the season undefeated.
Our girls led from start to finish, but it was never easy. In fact, the game was one of the more tense, suspenseful, and pressure filled competitions I’d ever seen. Both teams fought so hard and wanted so desperately to win. Fortunately for our Ringnecks, on this night, we were the team that showed just a little more grace under pressure.
The other players had returned to their benches while the coach squatted next to the injured player. I have often wondered what a coach says to an athlete in pain. I don’t know the words he used on this occasion, but his posture radiated calm and concern, and soon the player regained her composure, stood, and limped off the court. We applauded the student’s courage and the fact that she could exit under her own steam. But on our side, the side of the injured player, our relief was quickly replaced by concern for the game.
This all happened last Thursday, at the MCEL Junior High League Championship in Plainville. Our undefeated Lady Ringnecks were playing the Lady Ellis Railroaders for the title. The game began well, with our girls hitting a couple of jump shots and pulling out to an early lead.
However, all was not smooth. One of our starting players was called for a foul, and then another and then one more. Coach sat her on the bench and put in our only bench player. The Eighth Grade Lady Ringnecks, you see, have only six players on the entire team.
And then one of her teammates went down. The court cleared and the crowd grew silent. From the way she hopped and limped back to the bench, it seemed doubtful that that Lady Ringneck would return. That left only five girls, one with three fouls.
Make that four. Because soon after the injury, she was whistled for her fourth foul. Coach had to leave her in. He had no choice.
Mercifully, half time finally arrived, with the Lady Ringnecks clinging to a slim lead. The Hill City fans watched the injured player, now with a large ice pack strapped to her ankle, as she painfully made her way to the locker room. People wondered if we might have to finish the game with just four players.
Ten minutes later, the girls came out of the locker room, and to our relief and surprise, the injured player, her ankle now heavily taped, began warming up for the second half. She moved gingerly, but still took shots with an injured limb.
When the half began, she had joined her team, along with the bench sub. The player with four fouls remained on the bench.
The second half was an exhibition of how young players handle immense pressure. With the score close the entire game, the final outcome was always up for grabs. The players felt the pressure to make plays, and this led to many turnovers, missed shots, and mental mistakes.
Yet, somehow, the girls on both sides also made play after play. At one point we made three shots in a row to boost our lead all the way to seven. But then Ellis came back, cutting the lead to a single point.
With less than three minutes to play in the game, coach put back in the starter with four fouls, and she managed to play tough without fouling out. In fact, she made the last shot of the game, extending a fragile two-point lead to four with just seconds left.
And just like that, our Hill City Junior High School Eighth Grade Lady Ringnecks were the MCEL Champions, finishing the season undefeated.
Our girls led from start to finish, but it was never easy. In fact, the game was one of the more tense, suspenseful, and pressure filled competitions I’d ever seen. Both teams fought so hard and wanted so desperately to win. Fortunately for our Ringnecks, on this night, we were the team that showed just a little more grace under pressure.
Thanks in Perspective (11-28-11)
This Thanksgiving, I thought I was going to be thankful for the usual things: family, friends, school and town. I was so convinced that I had nothing new on the subject of thanks that I didn’t even bother to write my usual Thanksgiving principal’s perspective.
Then something happened which put the entire idea of thanks in perspective for me. Hill City lost a very dear member of our community, Donna Andreg.
I heard the news of her passing while enjoying Thanksgiving in Kansas City. I was stunned and saddened and somewhat confused. I just could not wrap my head around the idea that this bright, caring person would no longer be around, no longer working at the bank, no longer worshiping in her church, no longer a warm smile at town functions. I could only imagine the devastation felt by her wonderful family, and my thoughts flew to them.
When I sat down to eat my Thanksgiving meal, I thought about the holiday in a different way. Maybe Thanksgiving is not about the meal, or even about the time spent with the ones we love. Rather, maybe the real value of the holiday is in the reflection of our blessings. Suddenly, I found myself inspired to think of all sorts of things for which to be thankful.
I am thankful for each day I am allowed to spend on this earth.
I am thankful for each day my family and friends are allowed to spend on this earth.
I am thankful for the memories of so many incredible people I have known in my life. Some are no longer with us. My mother and father, my grandparents, members of my extended family, and many of the people I used to see in church or around town. I miss them all, and now I will miss Donna.
I am thankful for the time I got to spend with Donna. A few years ago, I was asked to judge at the state forensics tournament, and I drove to and from Wichita with Donna and Sandra Vey. Those ladies kept me highly entertained with stories about Hill City and the surrounding areas. They talked about their families, about people here and gone, about other trips they had taken. I learned more about the town and its people during that trip than I had ever learned before or have learned since. I got to share just a moment in Donna’s life and I am so thankful for the experience.
Donna also worked in my bank and I am thankful for the times I sat at her desk and for the friendly service she provided. I am also thankful for all the times she replied to my emails. She was always there to help, and I knew that if I needed anything, that all I had to do was let Donna know.
Finally, Donna’s daughter, Sara, was a regular in my summer melodramas, and I am thankful for the times I would see Donna in the audience. She always had words of encouragement and a smile on her face. You could just see how proud she was of her daughter, and I often thanked her for raising such a talented and hardworking daughter. I am thankful to be able to call Sara my friend, and my thoughts and prayers go out to her and to her entire family.
At times like these, it is all too easy to feel regret and a sense of loss for all the days and years denied us by death. Donna died too young, and while we rejoice in the memory of an incredible life of faith and service, we who remain cannot help but to grieve in her absence.
But let us not forget to be thankful for the time we did have. Every day with Donna was a gift, a privilege, a blessing. She touched so many lives in so many positive ways. Even now, she has reminded me that every day we are allowed to live and love and enjoy each other is truly our greatest reason to give thanks.
Then something happened which put the entire idea of thanks in perspective for me. Hill City lost a very dear member of our community, Donna Andreg.
I heard the news of her passing while enjoying Thanksgiving in Kansas City. I was stunned and saddened and somewhat confused. I just could not wrap my head around the idea that this bright, caring person would no longer be around, no longer working at the bank, no longer worshiping in her church, no longer a warm smile at town functions. I could only imagine the devastation felt by her wonderful family, and my thoughts flew to them.
When I sat down to eat my Thanksgiving meal, I thought about the holiday in a different way. Maybe Thanksgiving is not about the meal, or even about the time spent with the ones we love. Rather, maybe the real value of the holiday is in the reflection of our blessings. Suddenly, I found myself inspired to think of all sorts of things for which to be thankful.
I am thankful for each day I am allowed to spend on this earth.
I am thankful for each day my family and friends are allowed to spend on this earth.
I am thankful for the memories of so many incredible people I have known in my life. Some are no longer with us. My mother and father, my grandparents, members of my extended family, and many of the people I used to see in church or around town. I miss them all, and now I will miss Donna.
I am thankful for the time I got to spend with Donna. A few years ago, I was asked to judge at the state forensics tournament, and I drove to and from Wichita with Donna and Sandra Vey. Those ladies kept me highly entertained with stories about Hill City and the surrounding areas. They talked about their families, about people here and gone, about other trips they had taken. I learned more about the town and its people during that trip than I had ever learned before or have learned since. I got to share just a moment in Donna’s life and I am so thankful for the experience.
Donna also worked in my bank and I am thankful for the times I sat at her desk and for the friendly service she provided. I am also thankful for all the times she replied to my emails. She was always there to help, and I knew that if I needed anything, that all I had to do was let Donna know.
Finally, Donna’s daughter, Sara, was a regular in my summer melodramas, and I am thankful for the times I would see Donna in the audience. She always had words of encouragement and a smile on her face. You could just see how proud she was of her daughter, and I often thanked her for raising such a talented and hardworking daughter. I am thankful to be able to call Sara my friend, and my thoughts and prayers go out to her and to her entire family.
At times like these, it is all too easy to feel regret and a sense of loss for all the days and years denied us by death. Donna died too young, and while we rejoice in the memory of an incredible life of faith and service, we who remain cannot help but to grieve in her absence.
But let us not forget to be thankful for the time we did have. Every day with Donna was a gift, a privilege, a blessing. She touched so many lives in so many positive ways. Even now, she has reminded me that every day we are allowed to live and love and enjoy each other is truly our greatest reason to give thanks.
Spooktacular! (10-31-11)
Today is the day of our annual Hill City Grade School “Spook Parade.” Students in grades K-4 dress up after last recess and parade first in our gym and then downtown for the local businesses. This is just one event that makes a Hill City Halloween a truly “spooktacular” spectacle!
The festivities began for me last week when our Little Folks Pre-School put on a “Halloween Fashion Show.” As the father of a preschool student, I watched as the kids were brought up one at a time and had their costumes announced to the class. The highlight of the show was when Mrs. Payne, our new preschool teacher, used the three Buzz Light Year costumes to teach the concepts of “same” and “different.” Especially when she had the students turn around. The backs of their costumes could not have been more “different” in color and pattern. Learning happens sometimes when you least think it will.
On Saturday, the Graham County Economic Development Council held their annual “Haunted Film Festival.” This is an opportunity for local filmmakers (myself included) to create and show before an audience something fun and scary. My family made a film this year featuring our children and all their friends. Most were able to come out on Saturday and you should have seen their faces when we won the “People’s Choice” award! The Haunted Film Festival is one of only a handful of such events in the state, and probably across the country. For me, it just wouldn’t be Halloween without it.
The costumes were out again on Sunday at our Methodist Church Halloween Party, hosted by the Methodist youth in grades 6-12. There were games and treats and a costume contest. The best part of this event was that it was a great example of kids helping kids. I think it would be safe to assume that the older kids had just as much fun (if not more fun!) than the little kids.
And that leads us to our parade of spooks today. This is one of Hill City Grade School’s finest traditions. It is amazing. We are able to dress and assemble costumes for over one hundred students in less than fifteen minutes. Then there is always a gym full of parents and relatives to take pictures, and finally, there is a mountain of candy to be distributed downtown. Over two dozen businesses, everyone from the courthouse to the hardware store, EMT’s and office workers, everyone lines the streets and hands out candy. Furtherore, this very paper assembles each class as it walks by and takes a group shot.
I cannot tell you how much it means to have that kind of support for our kids. And every year it just seems to get bigger and better. As I was watching Jim Logback take pictures of the various grade levels, Bob Boyd pulled me over.
“This is a great place to raise young people,” he said, emotion choking his voice. “This is just a great place to raise kids.”
Following our “Spook Parade” today, our Kansas Area Youth from the high school will renew their annual “KAYs Trick or Treat.” Pre-2 students will meet at the grade school and will be escorted around town for an hour collecting treats from various households with particularly generous owners. This is quite a task as the walk lasts an hour and it is no easy task to keep track of so many small and be-costumed students.
All over town, people have their yards decorated and their doors open to give freely to those who come knocking on their door. The selfless generosity make this holiday one of my favorites…it one of those times of year where people gladly give a little something to see a child smile.
Tomorrow, the decorations will come down and the costumes will be put away. Fall will officially be underway with winter just around the corner. But I will stay warm in the memories of the warmth of the people of our little town. The pictures and memories, not to mention all that candy, will sustain use through the coming months.
Well…at least until Christmas!
Happy Halloween, Hill City. And as a parent of young children – THANK YOU!
The festivities began for me last week when our Little Folks Pre-School put on a “Halloween Fashion Show.” As the father of a preschool student, I watched as the kids were brought up one at a time and had their costumes announced to the class. The highlight of the show was when Mrs. Payne, our new preschool teacher, used the three Buzz Light Year costumes to teach the concepts of “same” and “different.” Especially when she had the students turn around. The backs of their costumes could not have been more “different” in color and pattern. Learning happens sometimes when you least think it will.
On Saturday, the Graham County Economic Development Council held their annual “Haunted Film Festival.” This is an opportunity for local filmmakers (myself included) to create and show before an audience something fun and scary. My family made a film this year featuring our children and all their friends. Most were able to come out on Saturday and you should have seen their faces when we won the “People’s Choice” award! The Haunted Film Festival is one of only a handful of such events in the state, and probably across the country. For me, it just wouldn’t be Halloween without it.
The costumes were out again on Sunday at our Methodist Church Halloween Party, hosted by the Methodist youth in grades 6-12. There were games and treats and a costume contest. The best part of this event was that it was a great example of kids helping kids. I think it would be safe to assume that the older kids had just as much fun (if not more fun!) than the little kids.
And that leads us to our parade of spooks today. This is one of Hill City Grade School’s finest traditions. It is amazing. We are able to dress and assemble costumes for over one hundred students in less than fifteen minutes. Then there is always a gym full of parents and relatives to take pictures, and finally, there is a mountain of candy to be distributed downtown. Over two dozen businesses, everyone from the courthouse to the hardware store, EMT’s and office workers, everyone lines the streets and hands out candy. Furtherore, this very paper assembles each class as it walks by and takes a group shot.
I cannot tell you how much it means to have that kind of support for our kids. And every year it just seems to get bigger and better. As I was watching Jim Logback take pictures of the various grade levels, Bob Boyd pulled me over.
“This is a great place to raise young people,” he said, emotion choking his voice. “This is just a great place to raise kids.”
Following our “Spook Parade” today, our Kansas Area Youth from the high school will renew their annual “KAYs Trick or Treat.” Pre-2 students will meet at the grade school and will be escorted around town for an hour collecting treats from various households with particularly generous owners. This is quite a task as the walk lasts an hour and it is no easy task to keep track of so many small and be-costumed students.
All over town, people have their yards decorated and their doors open to give freely to those who come knocking on their door. The selfless generosity make this holiday one of my favorites…it one of those times of year where people gladly give a little something to see a child smile.
Tomorrow, the decorations will come down and the costumes will be put away. Fall will officially be underway with winter just around the corner. But I will stay warm in the memories of the warmth of the people of our little town. The pictures and memories, not to mention all that candy, will sustain use through the coming months.
Well…at least until Christmas!
Happy Halloween, Hill City. And as a parent of young children – THANK YOU!
Exemplary Character (10-17-11)
We should be proud of our character. Maybe not all the time, but in the last two weeks I have come across a few positive stories that I would like to share with you.
The first involves our Hill City Junior High 8th Grade Volleyball Team. Part of my responsibilities is to supervise the junior high ball games, a by-and-large enjoyable part of the job.
A couple of Saturdays ago, at the league tournament, I was both proud and thrilled to watch our 8th grade girls in action.
First, I was impressed by their play. The girls truly peaked at the right time and played some of their best and most inspired ball at just the right time to advance into the championship game against Phillipsburg.
That game was intense. We stormed out of the gate to win the first set, fought through exhaustion in losing the second set, and rebounded for a thrilling third set.
Our team ended up losing that third set 16-14. I was heartbroken for the girls, who had worked so hard and come so close. The final point was decided by a ref’s call of a “carry,” a call that is often subjective. It was a lousy way to decide a league champion. It was just one of those games that you hated to see either team lose.
A few days later, I learned of something amazing. A referee from that tournament had sent our coaches a letter praising our girls for their sportsmanship and ability to separate character from competition. After that game, one decided by a ref’s whistle, many of our girls took time to thank the refs for their participation. This is something our coaches ask them to do. Considering the circumstances of the painful loss, it would have been more than understandable if our girls had simply walked away. Instead, our girls took the time to thank the refs – win, lose, or draw.
The gesture so touched the official that she sent a letter of appreciation. That letter was shared with the team and used to reinforce that idea that acts of character do make a difference. It starts with our positive coaches, who both model good character and set high expectations for behavior.
Another example of our coaches modeling good character was on display at the Junior High Football Game versus Quinter. We jumped out to an early and commanding lead, running the score to 30-0 by the middle of the second quarter.
At that point our coaches began to put in the reserve players. With these less experienced players, Quinter was able to move the ball and eventually score. The final of 50-20 doesn’t tell the entire story.
I heard after the game that Quinter had not scored a single point throughout the season. In game after game, other teams kept their starters in the entire game and steamrolled the inferior team, reaching that 45 point spread as fast as possible. (NOTE: This is what I heard from one of our fans. I didn’t confirm this with Quinter.)
But on a beautiful fall evening, our coaches thought it more important that everyone play rather than win by the largest possible margin. The Bulldogs were thrilled to have scored three times, and every member of the Ringnecks got significant playing time.
It was a true win/win, but more than that, it displayed a lot of character - just another reason to be proud of where we live.
Finally, this Saturday, I witnessed the collective character of all the parents and relatives who traveled to Stockton to watch our Junior Ringneck Football players and the Junior Ringneck Cheerleaders.
Stockton has a large visitor section, with seven sets of bleachers. Our fans were present in large numbers on all seven sets.
Conversely, there was only a smattering of fans of the other side. Now, I understand that their team is small and they didn’t have any cheerleaders. To be fair, the home team fans who were present did cheer. The concession stand was well run, and someone even brought the “Tiger” truck, to blast “Eye of the Tiger” at halftime.
But seeing all that red, all those fans, all that support for our boys and girls, really made me proud to live in Hill City and proud to support the Ringnecks.
No one is perfect, and I know we have our character issues like anyone else. But sometimes, we rise above. Way above. And when that happens, we should all be very proud of our exemplary character.
The first involves our Hill City Junior High 8th Grade Volleyball Team. Part of my responsibilities is to supervise the junior high ball games, a by-and-large enjoyable part of the job.
A couple of Saturdays ago, at the league tournament, I was both proud and thrilled to watch our 8th grade girls in action.
First, I was impressed by their play. The girls truly peaked at the right time and played some of their best and most inspired ball at just the right time to advance into the championship game against Phillipsburg.
That game was intense. We stormed out of the gate to win the first set, fought through exhaustion in losing the second set, and rebounded for a thrilling third set.
Our team ended up losing that third set 16-14. I was heartbroken for the girls, who had worked so hard and come so close. The final point was decided by a ref’s call of a “carry,” a call that is often subjective. It was a lousy way to decide a league champion. It was just one of those games that you hated to see either team lose.
A few days later, I learned of something amazing. A referee from that tournament had sent our coaches a letter praising our girls for their sportsmanship and ability to separate character from competition. After that game, one decided by a ref’s whistle, many of our girls took time to thank the refs for their participation. This is something our coaches ask them to do. Considering the circumstances of the painful loss, it would have been more than understandable if our girls had simply walked away. Instead, our girls took the time to thank the refs – win, lose, or draw.
The gesture so touched the official that she sent a letter of appreciation. That letter was shared with the team and used to reinforce that idea that acts of character do make a difference. It starts with our positive coaches, who both model good character and set high expectations for behavior.
Another example of our coaches modeling good character was on display at the Junior High Football Game versus Quinter. We jumped out to an early and commanding lead, running the score to 30-0 by the middle of the second quarter.
At that point our coaches began to put in the reserve players. With these less experienced players, Quinter was able to move the ball and eventually score. The final of 50-20 doesn’t tell the entire story.
I heard after the game that Quinter had not scored a single point throughout the season. In game after game, other teams kept their starters in the entire game and steamrolled the inferior team, reaching that 45 point spread as fast as possible. (NOTE: This is what I heard from one of our fans. I didn’t confirm this with Quinter.)
But on a beautiful fall evening, our coaches thought it more important that everyone play rather than win by the largest possible margin. The Bulldogs were thrilled to have scored three times, and every member of the Ringnecks got significant playing time.
It was a true win/win, but more than that, it displayed a lot of character - just another reason to be proud of where we live.
Finally, this Saturday, I witnessed the collective character of all the parents and relatives who traveled to Stockton to watch our Junior Ringneck Football players and the Junior Ringneck Cheerleaders.
Stockton has a large visitor section, with seven sets of bleachers. Our fans were present in large numbers on all seven sets.
Conversely, there was only a smattering of fans of the other side. Now, I understand that their team is small and they didn’t have any cheerleaders. To be fair, the home team fans who were present did cheer. The concession stand was well run, and someone even brought the “Tiger” truck, to blast “Eye of the Tiger” at halftime.
But seeing all that red, all those fans, all that support for our boys and girls, really made me proud to live in Hill City and proud to support the Ringnecks.
No one is perfect, and I know we have our character issues like anyone else. But sometimes, we rise above. Way above. And when that happens, we should all be very proud of our exemplary character.
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