Letter to the Editor
We would like to thank all the local coaches and team volunteers who have invested in our children’s lives this year. They have given hundreds of hours to build into the lives of the students on their teams. We feel very blessed to have coaches of strong character in our community who encourage hard work, perseverance, and teamwork.
Hockey is one of the most time-intensive for volunteers. This year it seemed like the ice rink needed to be cleared of snow almost every day before practice before the Zamboni could run! Brad Honerlaw, along with his wife Adriane and children Dominic and Jenna, did the bulk of the snow clearing by hand (shoveling), as well as snow blowing and running the Zamboni.
Denton and Tamara Hamby, Cory and Leann Larson, Corey Schwanke, Nathaniel Bengtson, Julie Lackner, and many parents also helped with snow removal and ice maintenance throughout the season. All this work is worth the effort when you look out and see the kids’ faces glowing, taking joy in the sport while enjoying camaraderie with their teammates.
Brad Honerlaw and Cory and Leann Larson have served as coaches this year for the younger kids, learning the game so that kids in our community can have a team. They encouraged and challenged the players day in and day out to learn and do their best. Josh and Alyson Geldersma also helped kids on the ice during practices.
Adriane Honerlaw was #1 team encourager, making snack bags and organizing hospitality to keep everyone fueled.
Tamara Hamby facilitated the Learn to Skate program in Glennallen, where our daughter learned that she loves the sport of hockey! Becky Schwanke and Rowdy Allain coached and made the hockey program happen for the older kids. Thank you to Shawn Friendshuh as well for showing up at several practices to share your expertise in skating with all the hockey players. It makes a difference!
Coaching our older daughters in cross-country running and track this year were Kelly Gerlach and Mackenzie Dysinger. Kelly has a gift for making sports trips memorable and meaningful. One of the special things the team did this year was to go to The Pioneer Home in Palmer to share encouragement and music with the residents there.
Kelly, by example, teaches her athletes to focus on others and to see the beauty in this world. Mackenzie has become a true friend to the kids on the team. She notices their individual needs and struggles and is so good at giving encouragement and speaking wisdom into their life situations. We are so thankful for her.
The basketball coaches who have impacted the life of our family are Jubilee and Jesse Heinbaugh. Jubilee has done a tremendous job over the years creating a “feeder program” to get girls exposed to the game and engaged in basketball at a young age. She has been coaching both the middle school and high school teams for years, using her “free” time for the good of others.
Jubilee imparts foundational skills, a love for the game, and a good mix of grace and truth to help the girls grow. Having Jesse at her side this year has added great additional instruction for the team, as well as the ability to juggle the demands of coaching, driving, and chaperoning, all while caring for their own new baby.
Kelsey Stanbro coached our daughter on the middle school volleyball team this year and did a tremendous job guiding the girls in learning how to play the sport. The players improved phenomenally over the season under her instruction. She made practices fun while requiring that respect and kindness be shown toward one another. She was also very organized and good at communicating with parents.
We know there are many others who have given in the other sports – Nordic skiing, wrestling, boys basketball, high school volleyball, and Little Dribblers. Thanks to all of you for serving - adding fun and focus to our kids’ lives, contributing to who they are becoming.
We know that in such a small community if you want something to happen, you must step up and do your part to make it happen. You all make our community a better place to live and grow our kids.
Gratefully,
The Abbott Family
