Getting Pepped Up

Had a Pep Rally tonight to cheer our on our girls basketball team heading to state Thursday.

First order of business was buying the "state shirts" so we can present a mostly united Royal Blue front. Then it was onto special music from Carter and the Pep Band, some cheers from the student section, and a words of thanks from the team captain and the coach.

There were a few touching moments and even a few that brought some tears to eyes or lumps in our throats. They had a #22 jersey draped over the end chair next to the captain. This was the number worn by Kiley, the young woman and mother that I told you about last week who died unexpectedly at age of 32. She was on our last winning state team so we had a moment of silence for her and they said her jersey would be accompanying them to state. Very moving.

We also had a special guest appearance by Jack Bennett, famous in our neck of the woods for his successful coaching career at UW-Stevens Point. (Plus he is brother of Dick Bennett, former Badgers hoops coach.) Jack gave an inspiring pep talk to the girls about the importance of character -- building it, showing it on the court, and maintaining it everywhere else.

Kind of cool to have these special wishes for our girls. And I can say "our" girls since several of our closest friends in the "Assumption family" have daughters on the team.

I hope, for their sake, they are as excited and confident as the rest of us are FOR them! Go Royals!