Throughout the past few years my family has had the opportunity to attend various MLHS games and activities. My husband, Phil, is part of the “Chain Gang” for varsity football games, moving the markers up and down the field. Our kids, 11 and 10 years of age, and I attend every home varsity football game. We also enjoyed watching varsity basketball and volleyball games, cheering on family friends. This year we have watched a few band concerts as well. I try to have a positive outlook on life in general, Maple Lake sports and activities included. My takeaway these last few years of watching Maple Lake High School sports is simply… thank You. The scoreboard at the end of the game has been tough to swallow sometimes but Thank you. Thank you to the students who stayed out for a sport even when their team wasn’t doing well. Thank you for displaying good sportsmanship even when you are down. Thank you for showing your love and enthusiasm for the game. Thank you for working hard to improve throughout the season… you did! Thank you to the coaches for staying positive, celebrating the little victories, and for continuing even when confronted with an uphill battle. All of your efforts are noticed and not just by adults. My children notice when “the big kids” are having fun as a team…. They can see themselves in you with their own classmates. They notice when “the big kids” improve, they in turn want to work harder as well. The Maple Lake Community has a great group of elementary students at MLE and St. Tims, and they are watching. I firmly believe that because of the positive attitudes of students and coaches there are a lot of younger students who WANT to be involved! They WANT to be on the team and in the activity. I say thank you, because without the enthusiasm and dedication of students and coaches the children of Maple Lake might not have activities to participate in when they enter MLHS. That may seem like a far-fetched statement, but in reality, it isn’t. Nick Lind, 2024 MLHS senior, made it to State in cross- country this year and last year. I am going to date myself, but my senior year saw cross-country reinstated at MLHS in 2001, the program had disappeared in the 80s. We may not have set any records that year, but we had fun and worked hard, and because of the dedication of coaches, Ben Youngs and J McClelland, combined with the enthusiasm of students continuing to go out for the sport, Nick had a team to run with and experienced going to State! Thank sou to the students and coaches!
