Congrats to the seniors – and especially to the student athletes

It’s that time of year again when we say congratulations to the members of this current graduating class, and we remind them to take a few minutes to thank those who were most responsible for their accomplishments.

This Friday, the 2012 Clinton County High School senior class will walk across the stage at the Lindle Castle Gymnasium and receive their diplomas from Superintendent Mickey McFall.

It’s been a long dozen years – well now with pre-school, kindergarten and head start – a long 14 or 15 years, for you to have reached this milestone in your lives.

Congratulations go out to all of our 100 graduating seniors, but since this space is normally dedicated to athletics, I’d especially like to send out a message of congratulations to those of you who not only managed to take care of the normal duties and tasks involved to earn your diploma, but did so while also competing in one or more of our athletic teams at the same time.

Our athletes at Clinton County High School are usually our most visible group representing our school and community, and I must say, that those of you on teams and squads this year, did so in style.

So, come Friday night, when you accept your sheepskin and swap sides with your tassels, feel proud of what you have accomplished – you deserve it.

However, there are a couple of other things you need to be aware of, the first being the most important. Take a few minutes to thank your parents, grandparents or guardians, or whomever it was most responsible for putting in the extra time to see that not only did you get your necessary school work completed, but also took the extra effort to see that you were at practice on time, had a ride home and probably even shot a few baskets and threw a few pitches during those first learning youth league years.

Someone deserves some extra thanks for taking off work early whenever possible to get to your early games and watch you play, swelling in pride every time you were involved in a play or shaking their heads when you missed that grounder.

You’ve accumulated a host of memories during your high school experiences – some bad but hopefully most good. I guarantee you – from experience – that many of the lessons you learned on the court or on the field as an athlete will serve to greatly benefit you throughout the rest of your lives.

While this is your week to enjoy your reward – take a few minutes to give the proper thanks where ever it is deserved.

Secondly – don’t be a stranger to the athletic scene. Come Friday night, your status will change from student athlete to alumni, but just because your playing time has come to an end, doesn’t mean your involvement or support has to end.

Come on back out to the games whenever you get the chance, and get behind these players who will be taking your place – someone likely will be donning the uniform you wore, or teeing off in your position come next season, and just like the fans who came out to support you – these new athletes need your support.

You may be an alumni instead of a student now, but one thing never changes – especially for athletes . . .

Once a Bulldog – always a Bulldog.

Congratulations to the Class of 2012