Tonight was an eventful one at BHS; between the swim meet, the Purple Out, and likely a handful of hidden events I didn't attend, there was a lot of action at the school. While both events were remarkably different, there was a clear thread through both. (I should clarify, a clear thread that's easy to see. Unlike an actual clear thread which seems like someone's idea of a practical joke).
I can't say I've ever attended a swimming meet before, but they are exhausting. I don't mean that in a negative way, I mean that with a combination of extreme heat, chemicals filling the air, and watching students swim quickly, it's difficult to fight off the urge to sleep. The divers continually impress not only because of their skill but their willingness to jump in the pool again and again. The swimmers were also impressive, because they seemed to flout conventional wisdom. Those who won their races were often distraught, perhaps upset they had not beaten their PRs while the "losers" of races were cheered and encouraged by the rest of the team. I don't think I've seen a team event where the team is so supportive of itself throughout the event.
The basketball game was completely different but also a complete success. The student section was fully purple, fully engaged, fully silent, and fully choreographed with their usual barrage of cheers, taunts, signs, and artificial driving pantomimes. The basketball team put a great effort and played a close game all the way until the final few minutes. The dance team prepared a new, highly robotic routine and the cheerleaders continued to build their pyramids. It was a true group effort from literally hundreds of committed students.
What always impresses me after these events is the commitment that so many students invest in creating these activities. While the coaches and teachers invest countless hours, it is nothing without total student buy-in to bring these events to life. Each year is a brand new opportunity for traditions to be created or destroyed and each year, each season, each week the students come through. For that, they all should be proud, whether they played, cheered, swam, danced, watched, or bought snacks and sat outside the gym the whole time. As they say, "You are the dreamer...and the dream"
I can't say I've ever attended a swimming meet before, but they are exhausting. I don't mean that in a negative way, I mean that with a combination of extreme heat, chemicals filling the air, and watching students swim quickly, it's difficult to fight off the urge to sleep. The divers continually impress not only because of their skill but their willingness to jump in the pool again and again. The swimmers were also impressive, because they seemed to flout conventional wisdom. Those who won their races were often distraught, perhaps upset they had not beaten their PRs while the "losers" of races were cheered and encouraged by the rest of the team. I don't think I've seen a team event where the team is so supportive of itself throughout the event.
The basketball game was completely different but also a complete success. The student section was fully purple, fully engaged, fully silent, and fully choreographed with their usual barrage of cheers, taunts, signs, and artificial driving pantomimes. The basketball team put a great effort and played a close game all the way until the final few minutes. The dance team prepared a new, highly robotic routine and the cheerleaders continued to build their pyramids. It was a true group effort from literally hundreds of committed students.
What always impresses me after these events is the commitment that so many students invest in creating these activities. While the coaches and teachers invest countless hours, it is nothing without total student buy-in to bring these events to life. Each year is a brand new opportunity for traditions to be created or destroyed and each year, each season, each week the students come through. For that, they all should be proud, whether they played, cheered, swam, danced, watched, or bought snacks and sat outside the gym the whole time. As they say, "You are the dreamer...and the dream"
Until next time,
-DH
(P.S. check Vine for some Great and Terrible Half-court shots: @mr_harrold)
(P.S. check Vine for some Great and Terrible Half-court shots: @mr_harrold)
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