Little Eyes are Watching

What a whirlwind the last couple weeks have been, a lot of happenings and a whole lotta goings on!! We are home to State Champion wrestlers, and sent a lot of strong athletes to Billings to make other kids crank up their level to beat ours.

Season 23-24 for girls and boys basketball for regular conference play ended over the weekend and now the slates are clean as District Tournament actions begin (for Malta) on Wednesday in Wolf Point, and finish up on Saturday. Class C begins in Conrad.

On occasion, one needs to reflect on general things that build an image and character, and this last week has been great for that. I wish all the kids good luck this coming weekend and extend a congratulations to the Malta-Whitewater wrestlers on a fine season!

As one spends their time on the ever-so-comfortable seats at the final basketball games, there were several things that dominated my thoughts, and if you care to know…continue reading.

Our band is to be commended on the beautiful rendition of our National Anthem at the games, beautiful and heart-touching, that makes one proud to be an American. I have heard more individuals who are displeased with other renditions and versions of the song that Francis Scott Key wrote in honor of our flag, and their disapproval, that when our students play that with such heart-felt meaning, one cannot help feeling gratitude. It has been shared with me, by veterans that other versions are NOT what they went to war to fight for - it was our “National Anthem by Francis Scott Key.”We owe them that much. Thank you, Mr. McKinney, for keeping the tradition strong.

Watching our youth on the floor and sidelines, representing our community and school, several things come to mind. Officials at the game are there because they love the game and the kids. They deserve our respect as well as our gratitude, considering they seem to be resigning and leaving their positions at a steady pace. They aren’t there to be called names, or mocked, or ridiculed, let alone cursed at. Take a moment and thank them, you know we need them. Sportsmanship is just a beginning to adjusting to the real world, make it positive.

Kudos to the Malta spectators and cheerleaders, who “cheer” as cheering was meant to be. I, personally, have had my opinion of a school to the west of us and one to the east that allows the derogatory chant “you can’t DO that!” Show me where, in cheerleading camp manuals, that appears. But, I also remember at a volleyball game it was so disgusting, disturbing and loudly offensive by a school cheering section, that the referee came down off the referee stand and went to the opposing student section and put the kibolt on actions. Again, Malta students, fans, parents, thanks for setting the bar higher.

Those two thoughts formulate one concept: as a student, athlete, spectator, or participant, you are an example to our youth! Those little eyes are always watching you and it will be your actions and responses that those little minds absorb like sponges. That is how they will act and develop. If you’re going to be an example…be a good one. Better yet, be a positive and great one. Little eyes (and hearts) are forever watching and absorbing.

An example is the little charmers this weekend…the dance class and cheer cuties…THEY look up (literally) to the instructors and cheerleaders, and rightly so. Fine job, advisor and moms. Their eyes twinkle with enthusiasm and pride, while their action imitate what they have witnessed. Big hearts and even greater smiles.

The Saturday nights basketball game the crowd dispersed and reassembled in the Mustang Corral and auditorium like the locust of years gone by. Then at 6:40 p.m. it was announced, “We have a State Champion wrestler – Chaka Schipman!” and as the saying goes…the crowd went WILD! This community stands beside and behind our youth…leaders setting an example. Congratz Chaka (Kohnor) Schipman.

Kudos to the Mustang basketball boys, who, with a healthy lead, were playing against those boys on the opposing bench at the end of the game. They rebounded the ball, not once, but several times, and tossed it to one of the team members who was handicapped. That is sportsmanship. That is setting an example. That is something to be proud of, and yes, we noticed. Fantastic display!

To the teams heading to tournaments, be safe, play strong, play smart…more importantly, play proud. Someone is always watching you, whether here or in heaven. Do yourself as proud as we are proud of you. Good luck and keep a shamrock in your pocket!