[Grovenet] It's good to see a community that does raise kids together...

[chuck]

Awesome story Ron.  Very impressive.

chuck

Ron D'Eau Claire wrote:
> SMITH CENTER, Kan., Nov. 7 - Their photos are on the cards traded over at
> the elementary school, and their exploits are on the lips of the old men who
> gather at the Second Cup Cafe each morning. They are the sons and grandsons
> of this north Kansas town, and for 30 autumns now, the Smith Center Redmen
> have puffed up the chests of folks here.
>
> They are a high school football team, a superb one that has won 51 games in
> a row and three consecutive state championships, and has outscored opponents
> this season, 704-0. They are more than that, however, to the 1,931 people
> here who all know one another's names: The Redmen are proof that hard work
> and accountability still mean something.
>
> The trading cards, for example, are not about hero worship. Each player and
> cheerleader signs a contract pledging to remain alcohol-, drug- and
> tobacco-free. If they break that promise, they must go to the elementary
> school to explain to the children why they were kicked off their team, and
> their cards are revoked. 
>
> "What we do around here real well is raise kids," Smith Center Coach Roger
> Barta said. "In fact, we do such a good job at it - and I'm talking about
> the parents and community - that they go away to school and succeed, and
> then pursue opportunities in the bigger cities.
>
> "None of this is really about football," he added. "We're going to get
> scored on eventually, and lose a game, and that doesn't mean anything. What
> I hope we're doing is sending kids into life who know that every day means
> something." 
>
> --------------------------------------
>
> What? And no one has sued? And no one has written to the State about how
> unfair it is that mere "children" should be accountable?? Amazing!
>
> There's a community that works! 
>
> Life isn't a football game, but learning to play any game well can teach a
> kid how to succeed in life. 
>
> Maybe another future world leader and great President will come from Kansas
> soon. We need him or her. 
>
> Ron D'Eau Claire 
>
> Full story:
>
> http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/09/sports/football/09football.html?_r=1&th=&a
> dxnnl=1&oref=slogin&emc=th&adxnnlx=1194737465-6xVy0+HgGyR6WjMWGYpLZQ
>
>
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