Worth Mentioning

K-M Superintendent Mark Matuska started a KoMet Kommendations to recognize individuals for going above and beyond the call of duty. For example, a month ago a family was recognized for helping to pick up KMTelecom Stadium after a football game. They were not asked to do it. They just did it without expecting any compensation. At the last school board meeting three high school seniors were recognized for being National Merit Commended Scholars.

Here are a couple more situations worth noting. "DCI Distinctions" if you will.  Before the HVL championship volleyball match with Stewartville junior Bre Barrett suffered what appeared to be a season-ending knee injury while warming up. The Stewartville team was very sympathetic, especially Coach Dzubay. In fact they later sent a team letter to Bre with words of encouragement.
Bre in turn sent a letter to the Stewartville Star thanking the team and coaches for their concern and support. That's how I found out about the support shown by players, coaches and Tiger fans. Stewartville has been one of the top volleyball programs in the state for many years. It goes to show that being the best can be more than showing your ability on the volleyball court. What happens off the court can also be a reflection of the quality of a team.

I strongly believe coach Hegerle has also instilled in his players the importance of showing respect for an opponent and that the way players  handle themselves on the court is a reflection of what they are off the court.

My second comment is on the K-M girls soccer team. They suffered a disappointing loss to La Crescent in the section semi-final, but still set a record for wins in a season (14). What I found to be most impressive about the soccer team did not come to light until after the season was over.

The team was the recipient of the All-State Academic Silver medal. They had a team grade point average of 3.73. That is High Honors status. I did a little research and of the 17 girls on the roster 12 were on the high honor roll the fourth quarter last year and 15 of the 17 were on the fourth quarter honor roll.

So for those of you who contend athletics and brain power don't mix, check again. In fact one study showed that students out for extra-curricular activities scored an average of one grade point higher (B compared to C for example) as those not out for an activity. So apparently youth out for activities do find time to get their homework done!