by Shelley Bennett
So many things this month! Let me tell you about some of them.
First off, the Grizzliettes host their annual show this Friday May 12 at 7:00 in the big gym. This dance showcase features the award winning LHS Drill Team and will include performances from the Lassen Cheerleaders, drill teams from Richmond and Diamond View, and J&J Performing Arts.
The Grizzliettes will highlight all of your favorites from football and basketball season and premiere several new dances as well. Tickets go on sale at the door at 6:30, $7/adults and $5.00/students and senior citizens.
The Performing Arts Club is also hosting several nights of King Arthur’s adventures with A Connecticut Yankee, the musical. Catch the production on May 9th, 11th, and 12th at 5:00 in the drama room (accessible from the back parking lot). Tickets are $8.00.
On Wednesday May 10, music teacher Ben Wade and the LHS Choir will hold their Spring Concert. This production is at 6:00 at the United Methodist Church and is free to the public.
Our Culinary Arts Club is hosting a family movie night on Thursday May 11th. Disney/Pixar’s Coco will start at 6:00 p.m. and tamales will be served during the movie. Tickets are $10/adults and $5/13 and under. You can purchase them at Margie’s Book Nook.
Saturday night (May 13th) is the senior prom. The Class of 2023 is holding “Sunset Down Memory Lane” at the Far Far Away Ranch in Johnstonville, 7:00-10:00 p.m. Bids are available to purchase at the ASB counter, $30/single, $50/couple. Bids must be purchased by a senior.
If you plan it carefully, you could watch it all starting tonight!
And in the middle of all that, our boys golf team are league, no make that SECTION champs, baseball hits the first round of playoffs on Tuesday at home, softball celebrates their seniors on Thursday at 4:00, and track and field qualifiers will compete on Thursday in the division 2 championships!
Next Friday May 19th, the Class of 2023 presents a Drive In Movie night starting at 6:00. You can sit in your car or bring some lawn chairs and enjoy the movie playing on the side of the big gym. They will be selling snacks and drinks, but the movie is free for the community to enjoy. The seniors would like to thank IGA and Grocery Outlet for sponsoring this event.
In other news, our son Jacob graduated from Centenary College of Louisiana with a BS in Business Administration last weekend. We had a whirlwind trip to the south, which included a trip to Magnolia Market in Waco, two complete games and two innings of baseball, and a Texas-sized thunderstorm with rain, wind, hail, and lightning strikes. It was a great time!
Since the Centenary Gents qualified for the SCAC baseball tournament, his graduation took place at The Depot at Cleburne Station, home of the Railroaders independent team. It was very fitting for Jake to graduate in his baseball uniform, swapping his hat for a Grad cap minutes before the ceremony.
As I looked around at the parents, I imagined all of the hours of baseball these families have experienced. Starting with T-ball and Little League, moving on to All-Stars and Travel teams, going to showcases, clinics, and tournaments in freezing cold rainstorms and the blazing summer sun. These young men were standouts at their high schools; all-league selections, league or section champs, stat leaders, MVPs. Then on to college, whether starting at a community college or straight to a four-year university, learning to balance their studies with practice and playing time.
I thought about the dads who spent countless hours throwing batting practice in their backyards, setting up elaborate whiffle ball games, and playing catch until it was too dark to see the ball. The moms who brought snacks, got the grass stains out of the white baseball pants, and made sure the socks, belt, and undershirt matched. The siblings who tagged along, played in the dirt, and can rate a ball park by its snack bar offerings.
We all had similar, shared experiences which led to this incredible accomplishment. There’s no crying in baseball, but a few tears might have slipped by.
Remember when news was ‘newsy’? When you read about weddings, family events and engagement announcements in the newspaper? If you have something that might be newsworthy, please submit it to shelleybennett24@gmail.com and I’ll do my best to include it here in “The Good Stuff.”
