Melanie's (sports) column: Supportive community helps sports

High school sports are important to the community that supports them, this newspaper included. They are also important to the participating students, as it is commonly known that student athletes on the high school, or “prep” level usually do well academically. From covering sports this past school year, particularly basketball, I have seen the communities of Sanders County come together to support the sports, and the students that play them. As a journalist, and a small-circulation newspaper editor, this is pleasing to see. But the road hasn’t been a smooth one to drive.

A parent came into the newsroom the other day to commend a particular photograph taken of his child, a basketball player. He spoke of his hopes for his child, and of how the photograph inspired the athlete, as well as put into tangible evidence the pride of the parent. The parent wants to see his child improve each year, as they are still young, and hopefully go on to play in college. Honestly, it was a lucky shot, but it went further than its printing - the photo, as well as the game coverage - inspired team supporters and improved the balance of the scale I’m constantly trying not to tip in our sports coverage.

Here’s the thing - perfection cannot ever be attained, but we certainly try. It isn’t for our own egos - we leave that at the door - but it is for the benefit of the student athletes, and the supportive community. We shoot, write and cover the sports we can, as much as we can. We know photos and some articles become scrap booking staples for proud mothers trying to document their children’s activities, or framed photos for doting relatives. Or sweatshirt prints, whatever’s clever. We also know athletes get a boost in their game when featured in the paper, as we try to feature as many as we can. Couple that with covering general assignments, as well as meeting other company deadlines, and then packaging it all up to look good for production, it’s a full plate served each week, each day. But we love it. And we do it all to make memorable moments for our readers, or supportive parents/relatives. We know the importance of prep and youth sports - especially me, the former Plains Piranhas Swim Team coach of two years - and we know the coverage is just as important. Small town news is a different animal, something not fully explained in our studies at our respective universities. It is something to be experienced, and learned from, hopefully not burned from, at that. Community journalism is, after all, the documentation of the local history as it happens. High school basketball in this community has allowed for us to stretch our legs more in the towns, and to witness the talent of our local athletes. It’s an honor to cover these games, and even more of an honor to be welcomed at said games by school officials, teachers, parents, and even some athletes brave enough to talk to us, since we constantly wield our cameras, looking for that awesome shot. I am grateful, above all things, to have experienced that first-hand this past season: A welcoming, ever-supportive community.