And so year fourteen of the Mighty Patriots will begin. After speaking to each tentative player and explaining to them what our team is really all about, and with our fingers crossed, we watched their ambivalent expressions turn into beaming smiles and we realized we were off to the beginning of another exciting year!
It never gets old when a new Mighty Patriot gets their first basket. The look on their faces always gives us goosebumps. The look of power when they stumble, yet pick THEMSELVES back up, feeling stronger and even more in the game is worth the price of admission alone (which, by the way, is free). If that isn't enough, watch the faces of the student coaches when they all of a sudden “get it” and are truly changed for life. These are memories at a game that will brand themselves into your hearts forever.
Beyond the games themselves, we know things will happen during the school year as well. Kids in the lunchroom talking and asking questions or high-fiving someone who usually eats alone. It is so amazing to watch the whole student population getting behind the Mighty Patriots, either by trying out for the coveted student coaches or mascot positions, the official Fans in the Stands group, and the Teens Behind the Scenes group who help make fliers, run the halftime raffle and help set things up. To see the bleachers filled with students cheering for both teams is simply amazing! It touches our hearts to see parents and grandparents crying in the stands with joy and pride like any other student athlete's parents, watching their child connecting with peers in ways they had never imagined possible. Yes, this new endeavor will take a lot of blood (?), sweat, tears, and laughter, but the payoff will be invaluable.
We hope students, parents, teachers, and the entire community will come and cheer on our students and support the Mighty Patriots. The experience is a demonstration of overcoming challenges, uniting our student body, and demonstrating the heart of our school community. Come see how MIGHTY, whether in winning or losing, these Patriots can be.
Staff Coaches Geri Pasieka and Christy Schwartz