July 23, 2014 at 2:10 p.m.
This team may help build a community (03/20/06)
Editorial
Wow.
That’s not sufficient.
But is there a stronger word than “wow” that can be published in a family newspaper that would express the emotion and excitement and pride Jay County residents are feeling right now? Probably not.
So, wow will have to do for now.
Wow for the first semi-state title in the county’s history. It’s a long history, kids. And even though the quibblers will argue about the differences between class basketball and the old days, it’s still a remarkable accomplishment.
Wow for the way it happened, not with showboating, not with big stars, but with the most essential of piece of Hoosier character: Teamwork.
Wow for the fan support. Something like 1,500 Jay County fans made their way to Lafayette on Saturday for the semi-state. Countless more listened to their radios, both at home and at Expo at the high school, muttering under their breath the same words they would have cheered if they’d been on the spot.
Every community needs some wow now and then.
We’re delighted with the moment and have enjoyed basking in the reflected glory. (”You’re from Jay County? Man, they’re something.”)
But if we have one tiny bit of regret, it’s that it didn’t happen sooner.
That’s not in any way a reflection on the teams or coaches that came before.
It’s just a bit of wishful thinking based upon how a team can pull a community together.
Jay County has made tremendous strides over the past 30 years or so, acting as a single community rather than a dozen different competing communities.
But just think how transforming a team performance like this would have been in the first two or five or even ten years into the history of Jay County High School.
Why should that matter? Because schools build communities. And one last community still needs to be built.
For decades, alumni associations have been around for the old high schools: Portland, Dunkirk, Redkey, Pennville, Bryant, Madison, Pennville, Gray.
Despite hard work by a dedicated core of individuals, that same sense of connection hasn’t jelled for alumni of Jay County High School.
It would have been nice — something out of a Hollywood screenplay — if JCHS had been heading for a state championship in its first few years.
It would have been nice, but it would have been unrealistic.
But there’s nothing unrealistic in this: The success of the current JCHS boys basketball team could provide the catalyst for the formation of a credible, on-going Jay County High School alumni association.
Think about it. Every year, graying classmates from long-gone high schools gather every summer to get reacquainted.
Shouldn’t JCHS alumni do the same, particularly when this year’s boys basketball team has given them something special to celebrate?
Isn’t that what the concept of “team” is all about?
And, by the way, wow. — J.R.[[In-content Ad]]
That’s not sufficient.
But is there a stronger word than “wow” that can be published in a family newspaper that would express the emotion and excitement and pride Jay County residents are feeling right now? Probably not.
So, wow will have to do for now.
Wow for the first semi-state title in the county’s history. It’s a long history, kids. And even though the quibblers will argue about the differences between class basketball and the old days, it’s still a remarkable accomplishment.
Wow for the way it happened, not with showboating, not with big stars, but with the most essential of piece of Hoosier character: Teamwork.
Wow for the fan support. Something like 1,500 Jay County fans made their way to Lafayette on Saturday for the semi-state. Countless more listened to their radios, both at home and at Expo at the high school, muttering under their breath the same words they would have cheered if they’d been on the spot.
Every community needs some wow now and then.
We’re delighted with the moment and have enjoyed basking in the reflected glory. (”You’re from Jay County? Man, they’re something.”)
But if we have one tiny bit of regret, it’s that it didn’t happen sooner.
That’s not in any way a reflection on the teams or coaches that came before.
It’s just a bit of wishful thinking based upon how a team can pull a community together.
Jay County has made tremendous strides over the past 30 years or so, acting as a single community rather than a dozen different competing communities.
But just think how transforming a team performance like this would have been in the first two or five or even ten years into the history of Jay County High School.
Why should that matter? Because schools build communities. And one last community still needs to be built.
For decades, alumni associations have been around for the old high schools: Portland, Dunkirk, Redkey, Pennville, Bryant, Madison, Pennville, Gray.
Despite hard work by a dedicated core of individuals, that same sense of connection hasn’t jelled for alumni of Jay County High School.
It would have been nice — something out of a Hollywood screenplay — if JCHS had been heading for a state championship in its first few years.
It would have been nice, but it would have been unrealistic.
But there’s nothing unrealistic in this: The success of the current JCHS boys basketball team could provide the catalyst for the formation of a credible, on-going Jay County High School alumni association.
Think about it. Every year, graying classmates from long-gone high schools gather every summer to get reacquainted.
Shouldn’t JCHS alumni do the same, particularly when this year’s boys basketball team has given them something special to celebrate?
Isn’t that what the concept of “team” is all about?
And, by the way, wow. — J.R.[[In-content Ad]]
Top Stories
9/11 NEVER FORGET Mobile Exhibit
Chartwells marketing
September 17, 2024 7:36 a.m.
Events
250 X 250 AD