What a winter! Last year I wrote a blog about how much fun it was to watch our activities throughout the winter months and how they help us get through the blahs. I can say the same about this year!
Girls State Basketball Champions after winning the conference. Coach Maske named Coach of the Year. Boys Basketball -- Conference Champs and a heck of a season. Wrestling -- Conference Champs. Five wrestlers to state, three on the platform. Coach Johnson named Coach of the Year. Last fall our football team had a great season and made it to second round of playoffs. The girls Cross Country team made it to state. The spring promises successful track and golf teams. And of course the summer will hopefully lead to successful baseball and softball teams.
Then there is drama...a fun play with 28 kids involved. Large Group Speech had Choral Reading, Reader's Theatre and two Improv groups make it to state and get Division I ratings. There were 8 students who recently made it to State Individual Speech and had many I Ratings.
Drill Team had award winning performances at state and brought home a trophy for Pom. They were asked to perform at the state basketball tournament and three girls made the All-Iowa Drill Team.
The music department just finished their Swing Show to two sold-out audiences. Wow. What talent we have. They are now gearing up for solo and ensemble contest.
Two Mock Trial teams to state and hopefully the third will qualify on Wednesday.
Success at PAC. We should be proud. And a lot of us are.
Of everyone.
But wait...did I leave someone out? Did I forget to mention some accomplishments? Did I list Girls Basketball first instead of Drama? Did I not give each activity the same number of words?
You see, every year I hear grumblings about how one group gets more attention than another group. Jealousy. It's human nature. But why?
I maintain (and I'm sorry to those who I've explained this to) that it's like comparing fruit. Basically all fruit is delicious. But some people prefer apples over oranges or kiwi over strawberries. Some fruit is more common than other fruit. It doesn't make oranges worse than apples...just different. Because some people really like oranges more than apples. And that is their right. And in some ways it's impossible to compare the fruits because they are different.
Why can't we be happy for everyone? Why do people nitpick and talk about how one group gets more social media coverage or a pep rally or a firetruck ride and others don't? Does that diminish the accomplishments? Why is it that people feel the necessity to bring other groups down? Why is there a feeling sometimes of having to hide or apologize for the accomplishments?
This is not fair to those who work hard to be successful. Because no one will have success without hard work. I guarantee you that every event the students participate in requires hours and hours and hours of preparation. They should be proud of that hard work. And the rewards that go with it.
And to those people who want more attention...is that really why you are involved? For the attention? Or is it to be a part of something you love to do? Because if you truly love something, the attention should not matter. It's nice, but it shouldn't be the driving force behind what you do.
So, if I left anyone out, I apologize. If I offended anyone, I apologize. Bottom line....you can never make everyone happy.
But rather than hating the school and each other, take a step back and recognize and celebrate each other's successes.
And thank you students. Thanks for all the positive things you have done this year.
Girls State Basketball Champions after winning the conference. Coach Maske named Coach of the Year. Boys Basketball -- Conference Champs and a heck of a season. Wrestling -- Conference Champs. Five wrestlers to state, three on the platform. Coach Johnson named Coach of the Year. Last fall our football team had a great season and made it to second round of playoffs. The girls Cross Country team made it to state. The spring promises successful track and golf teams. And of course the summer will hopefully lead to successful baseball and softball teams.
Then there is drama...a fun play with 28 kids involved. Large Group Speech had Choral Reading, Reader's Theatre and two Improv groups make it to state and get Division I ratings. There were 8 students who recently made it to State Individual Speech and had many I Ratings.
Drill Team had award winning performances at state and brought home a trophy for Pom. They were asked to perform at the state basketball tournament and three girls made the All-Iowa Drill Team.
The music department just finished their Swing Show to two sold-out audiences. Wow. What talent we have. They are now gearing up for solo and ensemble contest.
Two Mock Trial teams to state and hopefully the third will qualify on Wednesday.
Success at PAC. We should be proud. And a lot of us are.
Of everyone.
But wait...did I leave someone out? Did I forget to mention some accomplishments? Did I list Girls Basketball first instead of Drama? Did I not give each activity the same number of words?
You see, every year I hear grumblings about how one group gets more attention than another group. Jealousy. It's human nature. But why?
I maintain (and I'm sorry to those who I've explained this to) that it's like comparing fruit. Basically all fruit is delicious. But some people prefer apples over oranges or kiwi over strawberries. Some fruit is more common than other fruit. It doesn't make oranges worse than apples...just different. Because some people really like oranges more than apples. And that is their right. And in some ways it's impossible to compare the fruits because they are different.
Why can't we be happy for everyone? Why do people nitpick and talk about how one group gets more social media coverage or a pep rally or a firetruck ride and others don't? Does that diminish the accomplishments? Why is it that people feel the necessity to bring other groups down? Why is there a feeling sometimes of having to hide or apologize for the accomplishments?
This is not fair to those who work hard to be successful. Because no one will have success without hard work. I guarantee you that every event the students participate in requires hours and hours and hours of preparation. They should be proud of that hard work. And the rewards that go with it.
And to those people who want more attention...is that really why you are involved? For the attention? Or is it to be a part of something you love to do? Because if you truly love something, the attention should not matter. It's nice, but it shouldn't be the driving force behind what you do.
So, if I left anyone out, I apologize. If I offended anyone, I apologize. Bottom line....you can never make everyone happy.
But rather than hating the school and each other, take a step back and recognize and celebrate each other's successes.
And thank you students. Thanks for all the positive things you have done this year.