The past few weeks have been a flurry of activity as our local high school football team has won round after round of games to make it into the state championship game. The coaches and players have been working toward this goal since last year at this time. The Arkansas Democrat Gazette and other media outlets have done a great job of giving coverage to many of our players. One feature even highlighted the family-oriented team culture at our high school. There are five sets of brothers (including twins) on the team fighting for a state championship ring this year.
We have been fortunate – most of the playoff games were on our home field in Elkins. We recently traveled to Stuttgart, Ark. to watch the semifinals game. The logistics going into getting the team, coaches, and equipment to the game is quite a feat. That doesn’t even begin to include loading up the students in the band and the athletes who cheer along with all their equipment. The Elkins Elks arrived in style to Stuttgart. The visitor’s stands were packed with fans.
During the exciting game, the Elks dominated over the Ricebirds. There were several of us talking about the media interviews and coverage from the week before. I told my friend what the media needs to do for a fresh angle this week is cover the unsung heroes who work behind the scenes. She asked me what I meant. I replied, “the moms!” We both laughed.
If the media DID want an “inside” story, there are a group of parents who make sure the team and coaches have a meal before each game. This program is called, “Feed the Elks.” Every year, businesses, churches and families in our local community give financially to this effort. There are several hardworking moms (and dads!) who make it happen week after week. There is a group of cheer moms who make sure we feed athletes before away games and pack snack bags for long road trips. Some of these parents have long nights on the road for a football game on Friday night and then are up early on Saturday to travel to a cheer competition. And we cannot forget the band parents! They do a great job of supporting the band students with meals and help getting the instruments rolled out for halftime. These are the things that make a small school’s spirit light up during these pivotal moments that bring excitement to our whole community.
This week, we will read some great stories about our talented coaches and athletes as we prepare to make our way to Little Rock on December 13 for what should be an exciting championship game. We are praying for good sportsmanship, athleticism and an Elk victory. No matter what the outcome, December is a beautiful time to remember the unsung heroes working behind the scenes.
Christmas is when we reflect on the humble birth of our savior in a stable, wrapped in swaddling clothes and laying in a manger. His mother, Mary, made sure he had the best of what she could offer. I hope each of the students and coaches from our hometown high school feel loved and supported by the unsung heroes working behind the scenes – the mothers, fathers, grandparents and fans who are giving them the very best of what they have to offer to get them ready for a very special moment in their high school memories.
Merry Christmas, neighbor!
Jody Harris is a freelance communications specialist, gardener, ranch wife and mother of four. She and her family raise Angus beef cattle and other critters on their northwest Arkansas ranch. She is a graduate of Missouri State University. To contact Jody, go to ozarksfn.com and click on ‘Contact Us.’
