Savage Horsemen wrestling receives athletic grant

On Monday April 2, Plains School teacher Debbie Brown was informed that a grant she applied for on behalf of the late Kenny Marjerrison was awarded to the Plains/Hot Springs wrestling program.

“I’m writing to let you know that your Plains wrestling program is one of two Montana school athletic programs chosen to receive a California Casualty Thomas R. Brown Athletic Grant. I have $1,500 for your program to put toward wrestling tournament entry fees and transportation costs for your team. I was moved by your application and how you explained the positive impact your beloved Coach Kenny had on his community. What a loss you all must have felt when he passed away so suddenly,” was stated in the email that was also sent to Kevin Meredith Plains Principal and Mike Cole Plains Athletic Director.

Plains, one of only two schools presented with the California Casualty Thomas R. Brown Athletics Grant; both Plains and Florence-Carlton High Schools are among 79 public middle schools and high schools in 32 states awarded a total of $83,000 to aid sports programs affected by tight budgets. They spilt $2,500 in total funds, with Plains receiving $1,500 of that grant.

“All students should have the opportunity to compete,” said Lisa Almeida, Assistant Vice President.

“California Casualty’s 67-year commitment to educators and schools also reaches to athletic fields,” she continued to say.

When asked what prompted Brown to apply for the grant originally, she said, “Our self-funded sports work hard to support themselves. When I received the notice from my insurance company about this grant I immediately thought of all of them, and fully intended on giving the information to everyone for the chance.”

“It just happened that Kenny was in my room fixing some laptops as I was rereading all the necessary qualifications for this grant. I asked him if it was something he would be interested in, he said yes and I ran off a copy for him,” she explained.

Brown went onto say that, “Our school funds are stretched pretty thin, but they do try to help when possible, where possible.”

She continued to clarify saying, “The wrestlers have worked hard for many years to participate in and fund the sport they love, for many it is the only sport they participate in. The extra money this grant provides is a head start for next year. They have a ‘cushion’ to fall back on if needed.”

Brown, along with other school officials are over-joyed to have been able to secure the grant money to go toward the schools’ wrestling team funds.

“Any money a public school system gets is appreciated. Any money a self-funded sport gets is imperative. These student athletes work nonstop for their sport. They maintain grades, practice,along with working on various fund raising efforts to support the sport. This grant will go a long way to help them financially,” she said.

With the timing of sending the application through, Brown delicately explained that though they [all who new Marjerrison] were still grieving with his sudden loss, she approached Plains High School Principal Kevin Meredith and Plains Schools Superintendent Thom Chisholm to send in the grant on Marjerrison’s behalf for the team.

“The grief etched on the wrestlers faces,” is what she said truly drove her to fill in the application.

“To this day I can see them all standing and leaning against the library ledge. The look they wore was pure heartache. They looked lost, devastated and I just had to find a way to help them out. The memory still makes me tear up,” she said.

“I told Kevin [Meredith] and Thom [Chisholm] I wanted to write this grant for Kenny, they both said go for it. I also needed financial information so I told Ginny Holland about it also. Otherwise I kept it pretty quiet for fear we wouldn’t get it, I couldn’t stand to disappoint the wrestlers,” she explained.

Now having received the check for the team, Brown is relieved that she doesn’t have to hold this secret and she is excited to see just how far this money will truly aid the Plains/Hot Springs Savage Horsemen Wrestlers in their next season.