Amazing: Defined as being "overwhelmed with surprise or sudden wonder; astonish greatly.
That's exactly what I experienced last week when my daughter and I attended the Middle School band concert at Memorial Auditorium. Skills have developed so much since the first musical concert I attended so many years ago. Then, on Tuesday, we attended the workshop in the WHS Gym where three expert clinicians critiqued and conducted our orchestra, band and two choral groups. I was amazed at the talent shown in all the groups. Thank you, school board, for allowing the workshop to take place in Worthington.
A great appreciation goes out for our entire musical staff. Developing good -- no, great -- skills in the middle school and the high school musical groups under the direction of WHS music teachers has brought our high school to a level I don't think has ever been seen in Worthington. Mr. Evensen had wonderful bands, but there is an intensity that I haven't seen before. If you have any doubts, then you haven't seen Mr. Loy bringing the WHS Marching Band down the street playing "The Phantom of the Opera." Amazing!
When you can have three expert clinicians with many years of experience critique our students and say there isn't much they can say or do to improve what they see, well, you know how fortunate we are to have the teachers we do. Thank you, teachers -- all of you. Words can't express the gratitude for the skills you've have given to our students. It will stay with them the rest of their lives. Your drive has inspired our students to achievements beyond the norm.
The week continued and, on Thursday, we took a fan bus trip to Marshall's college gym to see our WHS girls' basketball team defeat Lake Crystal-Welcome in the 3AA playoffs. Watching the girls interact on the basketball court spoke volumes about our WHS coaches who directed the team to a state playoff. Mackenzie Gerber showed true sportsmanship when she helped pick up the injured Lake Crystal player from the court. Our basketball teams have not only been taught skills, but consideration for others.
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What you didn't see in the newspaper was the support that the Worthington people showed to their team. The bleachers were filled on our side. More than that was the student support, which was amazing. With the WHS Band inspiring the team and fans, and a student section that just made you smile with pride, the excitement was unbelievable. The band performed swaying and playing their instruments in the bleachers, and I particularly noticed a young man wearing a red hat dancing to the music. Way to go, WHS High School Band -- loved it! The student section, with their wave, made a parent/grandparent want to be a kid again.
Go team; good luck at state! Students, teachers, coaches, student parents -- you rock.
