Heroes Come In All Shapes and Sizes
November 2001
My heroes go to Boyne City High School.
They participate in extra-curricular activities. They participate
for three main reasons to be with their friends, to be
around adults who care about them, and to have fun.
My heroes are involved in extra-curricular activities to learn
about themselves, enhance their education, and push themselves
in ways not possible in an after school job, or during the regular
school day.
One of my heroes had played just two seconds in a basketball game
last season. He was good enough to play more, but the flow of
the game didn't allow him the opportunity to get more time.
Instead of getting mad at the coach, instead of parental calls
to the administration calling for more playing time or demanding
that we find a new coach, my hero just kept on working hard in
practice, waiting for an opportunity he knew would come.
When that opportunity came, he was ready. With the team trailing
by nine points early in the second quarter, he entered the game
and proceeded to hit four three-point baskets in a row, leading
one of the more memorable comebacks here in the past few seasons.
One of my heroes at Boyne City High School got cut from the varsity
girls basketball team. Instead of being mad at the coach or mad
at the administration, my hero called up the cross country coach
the next day and asked if she could join the team. Despite not
being the best runner, she dedicated herself to the team. The
conclusion to this story is quite remarkable my hero led
the cross country team to its first-ever conference championship,
and she earned all-league honors.
One of my heroes at Boyne City High School was recently offered
a Division I athletic scholarship. I was amazed when I found out
that she was considering all her options. I know that if I was
offered a Division I scholarship I wouldn't have to think twice
about taking it. Maybe this is why I was never a Division I athlete.
My hero is grounded enough to consider all the important variables
in her college choice. Does this college offer the educational
opportunities I want? Will the coach stay at the school for all
four years? Will I fit in with the other players on the team who
already have scholarships?
My hero at 17 years of age is wise enough, and articulate enough,
to make an informed choice on her college experience. I wish at
this young age I could have been so wise.
Many people today say that young adults are not as patriotic as
previous generations. My hero is patriotic. If you have had the
opportunity in the past year to attend a Boyne City High School
game then you have had a true patriotic experience. Last season
we had 18 different students step up to the microphone and sing
the National Anthem a acappella. How many of us could stand before
1,500 people at a football or basketball game and sing with pride
the National Anthem?
Those of you who attended a game at Boyne City last season know
that on many evenings the high point was the singing of the national
anthem not great plays, or victories, but students celebrating
with pride the greatness of America.
My heroes go to Boyne City High School. They have learned how
to deal with adversity, they are grounded in their decision-making
and they are patriotic.
My heroes participate in extra-curricular activities to learn
about themselves, enhance their education and push themselves
in ways not possible in any other activity. My heroes want to
win, but they would rather be with friends, be around adults who
care about them and to have fun.
This fall, when you are out watching a high school game please
don't forget about my heroes.
Steve Beyer
Athletic Director
Boyne City High School