2014 State Bound Trojans - video
Made for the pep rally week before state 2014!
Monday, March 3, 2014
Sunday, February 23, 2014
This is still Kirby
This is still Kirby...
We've never been the biggest school around.
We have never had the nicest, most state-of-the-art gym.
We have never had football.
We don't a huge population to pull from and the greatest part of us are in the lower side of the income bracket.
We don't win every single game every single year.
We are not usually big enough to drown a wet rat.
But here's what we do have.
We have heart.
We have tradition.
We have the love of a game that we all grew up playing, many of us from before we could walk. Same with our parents and grandparents before.
We have basketball goals in our yards that cost nothing to use.
We have access to our gym, and kids practicing there pretty much any and every night.
We have an expectation of 100% balls-to-the-wall effort.
I was curious where that phrase came from, especially since it's sounds so, ummm, colorful, so I looked it up.
It came from the Vietnam War, said during an air-raid. The throttle in the airplanes had a ballgrip and when you push the ball forward, close to the front wall of the cockpit, the fuel increases resulting in the highest possible speed. It was said, "You're in good hands... as long as you go in on those targets balls to the wall."
That sounds like us, right?!
We are also not all blessed with the same level of talent, but we are taught from the start, that effort matches talent ANY DAY.
Stephen King said, "Talent is cheaper than table salt. What separates the talented individual from the successful one is a lot of hard work."
So how does a little old school, out in the sticks, continuously excel each and every year? What are we cooking up here?!
When I was in college, a friend and I were looking at my old basketball clippings from the state paper after we learned we graduated the same year. We looked at those little one or two sentence write-ups, most of which I still have. I showed him mine and we flipped over the papers and found several he was in. (He played ball at ASU on scholarship.) He said he remembered playing Kirby and that it was always a job. He said Kirby was always a bunch of small, corn fed country boys who would run you to death for 32 minutes. He said he remembered we never had much size, but that we were scrappy and you had a job ahead of you when you went there. And yes, if memory serves me, we DID beat them (Fouke) back in the mid-90s.
This year I was standing outside at halftime visiting with some folks from another school. They commented that our senior girls team didn't know they were little.
No, they don't! Because small in stature doesn't equal small in performance!
Now back up and look at our school with a wide angle lens.
This is still Kirby.
We may not be the biggest.
We may not have the newest, nicest facilities.
We may not have what a lot of others do....
but what we do have, is BIG.
HEART, TRY, TRADITION, and as it was pointed out to me the other night by my good friend, Lisa Wright, we have an old gym with years of heart, determination and intimidation and grit ingrained into that old wood floor, that's seen a lot of generations of basketball that didn't know the meaning of quit!!
We are small. And we are fierce!
This is still Kirby.
Monday, February 10, 2014
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
Recent thoughts... Small schools
(Note- this is my personal page. These are thoughts I just really wanted to get out. It's long and doesn't say anything mind-blowing so if you're looking for drama, you'll be disappointed. Just things that have been rattling around in my mind about recent goings-on.)
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Several things happening lately incline me to put thoughts together, if for no other reason, then the catharsis I used to feel when I wrote to clear my head.
Baylee recently dug an 18-year old basketball scorebook out of storage for me. It included the only game my Dad ever missed. And that night he did go to a gym- - only it was the wrong one. He was a huge sports fan, especially of his kids. He took no mercy on either of us, consistently beating us at pretty much everything we attempted, until we could legitimately win. He loved sports! He always said the greatest high school basketball player he ever saw play was a fellow 1966 Kirby graduate, Blake Self. He loved to tell stories of watching him play. Daddy was good. Had the prettiest jump shot I’ve seen... Even into his later years. He just floated there for what seemed like forever, as long as it took for gravity to pull me back down, before he launched. But, Daddy didn’t have size. He was a ball-handling, 5’6" assist-man as high school progressed and everyone grew except him.
He was really proud of Blake Self and the rest of his team, Tonya’s teams, my teams...and pretty much all the ones in between. He could pick out players from every generation he enjoyed watching. And he always talked about what kind of people they were. Who displayed sportsmanship, or who had a terrible attitude, who was a team player, who was a showboat...
He was proud his parents graduated there. He was proud he and Momma were part of that tradition. And he was proud we were. Dad and Mom chose to build their home and family in Daisy, anchoring us there while he traveled all over the United States for work in the early years, so we could grow up in a safe area and attend a good school. He never wanted anything more than to be in the land of two-lane roads with his family - playing ball and watching his kids and grandkids play, fishing with his grandsons and sitting at the round table drinking coffee.
It wasn’t a slight to any other school. He was just extra proud of this one.
I know my friends at other schools feel the same.
So, the scorebooks...
Amity, Delight, Lockesburg, Hatfield, Van Cove, Saratoga, Umpire, Oden, Wickes, Ouachita, Acorn, Glenwood, Dierks...and a few other odds-and-ends like Nashville, Murfreesboro, Mtn. Pine, Bright Star, etc.
This made me think... we haven’t been out of school 20 years yet.
And how many of those schools no longer exist? Or are hanging on by the goodwill of a specific funding source governed by officials who don’t always understand the immense pride and importance of a school in a small town.
Schools that have consolidated from my senior year scorebook - Amity, Delight, Lockesburg, Hatfield, Van Cove, Saratoga, Umpire (with Wickes/Van Cove, remains open with isolation funds,) Oden w/Acorn, Glenwood, Bright Star, etc. Over half the schools we played.
And every time one of them closes, it makes me sad.
Oh, I know there are many benefits to combining one, two, three, four schools together. More opportunities, higher pay for much deserving teachers, etc.
But it still makes me sad. If this is progress, I don’t like it all that much.
I didn’t even go to Glenwood High School, although Mich is a late, great Tiger, but it still made me horribly sad to see every last building pulled down. I did attend a neighboring rival school but I took no glee in seeing either it, or Amity go. I still have many great friends from each of those places and although Glenwood may not have been especially affected by the economics of the move, I would imagine Amity was.
Call me wrong, but it makes me sad. Again, I concede that I sometimes do not appreciate progress. And yes, I do patronize the McDonalds that sits on the Glenwood school grounds almost every day for a glass of sweet tea...but I still find myself thinking that corner just looks wrong.
Last week I talked to a coach at Wickes for a few minutes. He’d been coaching there, I believe he said, 21 years. He mentioned that this week was the last games that would ever be played in their gym. He said that a few nights before, he had taken a walk around the neighborhood, around the gym. And he said it made him sad.
Well, it makes me sad too. Again, I take no joy at the closure, or consolidation, as it was, of another great little school. Yes, there are great new opportunities on the horizon, but it still makes me sad.
And Van-Cove, another member of the relatively new Cossatot River School system... Van Cove is the home of, hands down, the finest girls basketball team I have ever, EVER seen play. Back-to-back State Champions. I’d love to claim credit with the greatest team ever, but there is no question that the Van Cove Lady Hornets own that title, 1995-1996 and 1996-1997.
I remember Jason McDonald from Saratoga. Amazing ballplayer! Shelby Green was another good one! Daddy always said Dulane Pintada at Glenwood was the best female he ever saw play and that memory stuck with him from his childhood on. I have fond memories of the fastest two girls I played against - Amity’s Misty Cogburn and Glenwood’s Tenille West. Two of the toughest girls I played against - the Mullen sisters from Umpire. Pure shooters from Wickes, Linda Johnson and Andi Davis. Van Cove’s Jamie Scheppmann and honestly, the whole rest of the team. So many more good ballplayers from all these little schools!
I wasn’t outstanding. I loved to play and I was decent, but I was never a stand-out. But did I love it? Yes, I did. I know basketball is just a game. It doesn’t matter in the grand scheme of things. But those of us who played, really enjoyed it. It taught us lessons and gave us friendships that will last a lifetime.
So, tonight while messing around on Facebook, I ran across pictures a friend posted. One of those pure shooters I mentioned. Linda Johnson (Lyle.) Pictures of her daughter with some friends on the last night they are Wickes Warriors playing basketball in their own gym.
It wasn’t the end of the world. And brighter days are undoubtedly on the horizon. But it makes me sad for my friends. I imagine there were some tears shed tonight at Wickes.
Which brings me back to Kirby.
Lots going on at Kirby right now. It’s no secret that numbers are lower than in the past. Still plenty above for now and in no immediate danger from that end. The next few years will bring challenges as 30-40 student classes graduate and new Kindergarten classes begin. The school has survived a polarizing millage increase proposal and a heartbreaking RIF in the last few years and has overcome many different things in its lifetime. Graduates there still receive a good education. I was happy to notice a few months ago when looking at an old basketball picture, that everyone of us I still have contact with, all completed some level or another of higher education. And the rest are functioning members of society that are assets to the schools tradition.
What has always pulled us all back together after all these years, was the desire for longevity and the knowledge that we either stand together or fall alone.
I would very much like to stand with this community to face the next few years challenges together.
I would very much like my children to go to the school that their great-grandparents attended in the 1930s and graduated from in the 40s, their grandparents attended in the 50's and graduated from in the 60s and 70s, more cousins in the 80s, their mother and aunt in the 90s and their cousins in the next couple years.
I would very much like my children to go to a school where they can be around like-minded students and teachers of faith.
I would very much like for Trevor to be able to visit Auburn’s classroom and make her the proudest little girl in the room when the big, cute Senior walks in, just to see her.
I would very much like to keep seeing that gym full on game nights. I’d very much like to keep seeing all the usual suspects standing at the wall coaching and refereeing the games. (Rest in Peace, Tom Wood.)
I would very much like to see those buildings with kids inside, learning.
After almost 90 years of blood, sweat, tears and tradition.
And if it doesn’t happen, it won’t be the end of the world.
But it will be sad.
Small schools are dying. The economy is tough and small towns and rural areas can’t keep up. All these years though, somehow, this little school has survived through every mishap and battle... while economics and such, have closed doors of many small, but quality schools.
If that must happen here, I would sure like to go out on top...working together.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---
Several things happening lately incline me to put thoughts together, if for no other reason, then the catharsis I used to feel when I wrote to clear my head.
Baylee recently dug an 18-year old basketball scorebook out of storage for me. It included the only game my Dad ever missed. And that night he did go to a gym- - only it was the wrong one. He was a huge sports fan, especially of his kids. He took no mercy on either of us, consistently beating us at pretty much everything we attempted, until we could legitimately win. He loved sports! He always said the greatest high school basketball player he ever saw play was a fellow 1966 Kirby graduate, Blake Self. He loved to tell stories of watching him play. Daddy was good. Had the prettiest jump shot I’ve seen... Even into his later years. He just floated there for what seemed like forever, as long as it took for gravity to pull me back down, before he launched. But, Daddy didn’t have size. He was a ball-handling, 5’6" assist-man as high school progressed and everyone grew except him.
He was really proud of Blake Self and the rest of his team, Tonya’s teams, my teams...and pretty much all the ones in between. He could pick out players from every generation he enjoyed watching. And he always talked about what kind of people they were. Who displayed sportsmanship, or who had a terrible attitude, who was a team player, who was a showboat...
He was proud his parents graduated there. He was proud he and Momma were part of that tradition. And he was proud we were. Dad and Mom chose to build their home and family in Daisy, anchoring us there while he traveled all over the United States for work in the early years, so we could grow up in a safe area and attend a good school. He never wanted anything more than to be in the land of two-lane roads with his family - playing ball and watching his kids and grandkids play, fishing with his grandsons and sitting at the round table drinking coffee.
It wasn’t a slight to any other school. He was just extra proud of this one.
I know my friends at other schools feel the same.
So, the scorebooks...
Amity, Delight, Lockesburg, Hatfield, Van Cove, Saratoga, Umpire, Oden, Wickes, Ouachita, Acorn, Glenwood, Dierks...and a few other odds-and-ends like Nashville, Murfreesboro, Mtn. Pine, Bright Star, etc.
This made me think... we haven’t been out of school 20 years yet.
And how many of those schools no longer exist? Or are hanging on by the goodwill of a specific funding source governed by officials who don’t always understand the immense pride and importance of a school in a small town.
Schools that have consolidated from my senior year scorebook - Amity, Delight, Lockesburg, Hatfield, Van Cove, Saratoga, Umpire (with Wickes/Van Cove, remains open with isolation funds,) Oden w/Acorn, Glenwood, Bright Star, etc. Over half the schools we played.
And every time one of them closes, it makes me sad.
Oh, I know there are many benefits to combining one, two, three, four schools together. More opportunities, higher pay for much deserving teachers, etc.
But it still makes me sad. If this is progress, I don’t like it all that much.
I didn’t even go to Glenwood High School, although Mich is a late, great Tiger, but it still made me horribly sad to see every last building pulled down. I did attend a neighboring rival school but I took no glee in seeing either it, or Amity go. I still have many great friends from each of those places and although Glenwood may not have been especially affected by the economics of the move, I would imagine Amity was.
Call me wrong, but it makes me sad. Again, I concede that I sometimes do not appreciate progress. And yes, I do patronize the McDonalds that sits on the Glenwood school grounds almost every day for a glass of sweet tea...but I still find myself thinking that corner just looks wrong.
Last week I talked to a coach at Wickes for a few minutes. He’d been coaching there, I believe he said, 21 years. He mentioned that this week was the last games that would ever be played in their gym. He said that a few nights before, he had taken a walk around the neighborhood, around the gym. And he said it made him sad.
Well, it makes me sad too. Again, I take no joy at the closure, or consolidation, as it was, of another great little school. Yes, there are great new opportunities on the horizon, but it still makes me sad.
And Van-Cove, another member of the relatively new Cossatot River School system... Van Cove is the home of, hands down, the finest girls basketball team I have ever, EVER seen play. Back-to-back State Champions. I’d love to claim credit with the greatest team ever, but there is no question that the Van Cove Lady Hornets own that title, 1995-1996 and 1996-1997.
I remember Jason McDonald from Saratoga. Amazing ballplayer! Shelby Green was another good one! Daddy always said Dulane Pintada at Glenwood was the best female he ever saw play and that memory stuck with him from his childhood on. I have fond memories of the fastest two girls I played against - Amity’s Misty Cogburn and Glenwood’s Tenille West. Two of the toughest girls I played against - the Mullen sisters from Umpire. Pure shooters from Wickes, Linda Johnson and Andi Davis. Van Cove’s Jamie Scheppmann and honestly, the whole rest of the team. So many more good ballplayers from all these little schools!
I wasn’t outstanding. I loved to play and I was decent, but I was never a stand-out. But did I love it? Yes, I did. I know basketball is just a game. It doesn’t matter in the grand scheme of things. But those of us who played, really enjoyed it. It taught us lessons and gave us friendships that will last a lifetime.
So, tonight while messing around on Facebook, I ran across pictures a friend posted. One of those pure shooters I mentioned. Linda Johnson (Lyle.) Pictures of her daughter with some friends on the last night they are Wickes Warriors playing basketball in their own gym.
It wasn’t the end of the world. And brighter days are undoubtedly on the horizon. But it makes me sad for my friends. I imagine there were some tears shed tonight at Wickes.
Which brings me back to Kirby.
Lots going on at Kirby right now. It’s no secret that numbers are lower than in the past. Still plenty above for now and in no immediate danger from that end. The next few years will bring challenges as 30-40 student classes graduate and new Kindergarten classes begin. The school has survived a polarizing millage increase proposal and a heartbreaking RIF in the last few years and has overcome many different things in its lifetime. Graduates there still receive a good education. I was happy to notice a few months ago when looking at an old basketball picture, that everyone of us I still have contact with, all completed some level or another of higher education. And the rest are functioning members of society that are assets to the schools tradition.
What has always pulled us all back together after all these years, was the desire for longevity and the knowledge that we either stand together or fall alone.
I would very much like to stand with this community to face the next few years challenges together.
I would very much like my children to go to the school that their great-grandparents attended in the 1930s and graduated from in the 40s, their grandparents attended in the 50's and graduated from in the 60s and 70s, more cousins in the 80s, their mother and aunt in the 90s and their cousins in the next couple years.
I would very much like my children to go to a school where they can be around like-minded students and teachers of faith.
I would very much like for Trevor to be able to visit Auburn’s classroom and make her the proudest little girl in the room when the big, cute Senior walks in, just to see her.
I would very much like to keep seeing that gym full on game nights. I’d very much like to keep seeing all the usual suspects standing at the wall coaching and refereeing the games. (Rest in Peace, Tom Wood.)
I would very much like to see those buildings with kids inside, learning.
After almost 90 years of blood, sweat, tears and tradition.
And if it doesn’t happen, it won’t be the end of the world.
But it will be sad.
Small schools are dying. The economy is tough and small towns and rural areas can’t keep up. All these years though, somehow, this little school has survived through every mishap and battle... while economics and such, have closed doors of many small, but quality schools.
If that must happen here, I would sure like to go out on top...working together.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
David O. Cogburn, Phyllis House-Cogburn, Edna Martin Horton and 37 others like this.
Sherry Beard Dani,it isn't just schools. It seems like the powers that be are trying their damnest to do away with rural areas and small towns all over the country. And, I will NEVER understand about "consolidation" when studies PLAINLY show that smaller classes in smaller schools promotes greater learning. WTF?
Katie Jo Neal I can't wait to read your first book (because I have no doubt you need to write one). And I'm gonna be that stalker fan who buys the 1st edition hardback and stands in line for your autograph! Lol
Sharon Garner Dingler If we don't stand tall and together. We Will fall for anything. The pride we have all felt,when we attened Kirby school,in our youth,where we all made memories that last a lifetime is something that I treasure. I can only speak for myself,but I can tel...See More
Gefer Sims You are such a good writer. I enjoyed reading this. I attended Caddo my whole life but this article made me tear up. I know alot of kids that graduated and currently attend Kirby and I don't want to see the community lose their school.
Cara Tolleson Bunn Dan, you said it perfectly. It rips my heart out thinking Kirby School might not be there forever. It is a part of all of us and unless you've gone to a small school and lived in a small town, you can't truly appreciate it.
Jill Grant Tolleson Thank you. I don't have the gift of words but obviously you do. I love Kirby school too. I hope we all start working together.
Marie Fryar Dan that came from your heart... I hope that Kirby can work everything out cause i want to see Allison and Kalyn graduate from there. I love you Dan your such a strong person and a fighter........
Don Martin I'm from Murfreesboro. I've lived away from there since 1995, but today when people ask me where I'm from I still say Murfreesboro. I'm proud of that. My parents graduated from there just like my siblings. It's home.
I moved away and now have a famil...See More
I moved away and now have a famil...See More
Misti Haggard Strasner Funny you should write this because I stayed awake last night thinking about some similar things. But instead of basketball, I was thinking about all of the wonderful teachers I had at Kirby. Dana D. Horn is the reason I am a dietitian. She encouraged me so much! Mr. Turner is the reason I passed all of my biology and chemistry courses with a high grade. I had and still have so much respect for Pete Pedron, Mr. York, Jeannie York, Carla N Kyle Golden, Janelle Fant, Coach RandySandy Sorrells, We can't forget Mr Bill Smith and Mrs. Johnson either. You mentioned that most of us are now college graduates which is true. The major reason for that is because of the education we received. Back in the 90's, you would have to look long and hard to find a better group of educators than the ones we had. I appreciate them so much more now. They taught us respect and we gladly gave it to them. I would not be where I am today without these people!!!! I still to this day cannot eat raw cookie dough without feeling a little guilt from Mrs. Horn!!!
Brandi Mounts Tolleson Wow. So very well said. I'm not from Kirby, but I'm proud to be here now and a direct part of the school. But I do know about small town pride...and that I do have!! My kids love it here and that makes me happy. I feel the same way when a "rival" school closes...it only makes me sad. I started 7th grade in the brand new high school at Dierks. We were the first class to complete a full year there...I would have given ANYTHING to walk the halls my parents walked. And that was just a building, I can't imagine the entire school closing. Thank you for sharing.
Carrie Jo Cook I love this Dan...it's spectacular...I wish all of Kirby had the same desires for our school that you have written about...I may not have been raised a Trojan fan but I am now & I love having my kids going to school here...I hope to attend the graduation of this year's Kindergarten class one day out in our gymnasium to watch my baby walk down that aisle for her diploma
Penny Cowart Putz Now I'm crying along with this horrible cough I've got!! Lol!! I along with many others will fight to the bitter end to keep KIRBY SCHOOLS up and running. I still have Deric there and then 5 grandkids that I want to see graduate from there. People we can pull together and do this. PRAYER AND FAITH CAN MOVE A MOUNTAIN!!
Janelle Fant Danielle, this absolutely gave me chills. You have such a gift for putting the right words together.I agree with everything you said. Consolidation is a mean, horrible thing. My parents were some of the first graduates of Kirby School in the 30's and my grandkids are the fourth generation in my family to graduate from Kirby High
Danielle Dingler Brown This is from a message I received this morning from a friend who moved from another local school...... "There are many things living in a city like Little Rock affords my kids. I'm grateful for them all. But they'll never know that sense of community; that ownership and pride you get from the continuity of generations sharing similar experiences.
I'm so proud of and happy for my friends that have the chance to give their kids that but I'd be an absolute liar if I didn't say that I'm jealous. There's much to be envious of and I hope Kirby and so many other schools in similar situations fight to keep that community alive through their schools. It's worth the effort."
I'm so proud of and happy for my friends that have the chance to give their kids that but I'd be an absolute liar if I didn't say that I'm jealous. There's much to be envious of and I hope Kirby and so many other schools in similar situations fight to keep that community alive through their schools. It's worth the effort."
Janelle Fant The pride and hard work that was started in the 30's here at Kirby continues with today's patrons and students. To me there is no other place like it. I, too, am sad for Wicks. I enjoyed many ball games in that gym even some that we lost--remember Laken Garrison. Danielle, your article is so good I wish it could be sent to those in higher places who make the rules on consolidation. They evidently do not understand or appreciate the small, rural schools where students are receiving a quality education along with great pride in their athletics.
Danielle Dingler Brown I am so glad to read all these comments. And Misti, you're absolutely right!! I was truly prepared for college from the education I received at Kirby School. If there were subjects I struggled in, it was because of my personal effort level, or lack thereof- - not our educators. I was thrilled to see Senor Pedron just a couple of nights ago. One of the finest people I've ever known! And if that man could teach ME Spanish, he MORE than earned his paycheck!! I was kind of a hopeless case! I ADORE and RESPECT Quin Johnson and the love of the English language that she helped instill in me. Norma Lowery encouraged my story telling ability by appreciating the nonsense I put on paper. I purely love Janelle Fant. Always have, always will. There won't ever be another like her. A classy lady, a fine teacher and a lifetime supporter of this little corner of the world. This was a great place to grow up!! And I know everyone from every little area has these same stories with a different cast of characters. That is so special to me.
Edna Martin Horton Dear Lady.... Tears came to my eyes as I read the article you so greatly wrote.... Myself attended Gillham that no longer is there... A community withers on the vine without their school... Lets hope Kirby stands many years down the road...
Sidney Mitchell As usual Dan, you hit the nail on the head. I have zero regrets of my small school education. I wasn't prepared for the shock of walking into a college class larger than Amity's population but I was academically prepared. I may live in a huge city (the country's 4th largest currently) but my small town values are still on display always. Thanks for the thoughts that you put into words, they mean a lot to me.
Tenille West Rauls Agree with every word! Love this article and I remember your dad well! Standing in the window at our gym cheering you on! A true privilege growing up in an area where there is such love and support- a rarity for sure!
CindyJoy Talbot I WENT TO MANY SCHOOLS IN MY 12 YEARS AND I ENVY YOU WHO HAVE GROWN UP AND WENT TO THE SAME SCHOOL AND AREA..EMBRACE IT , SUCH A NICE PLACE TO LIVE
Judy Wood Kersey You express things so well and I loved reading all these thoughts. It makes me sad also. So much tradition, so many memories, so many people gone before. Thanks for mentioning my dad. We moved to Kirby the summer before my 6th grade. Both Andy and I were blessed to be raised in such a loving community and I wouldn't trade me education in the Kirby schools with anyone anywhere. Every student in every class is and has always been given a chance and help to succeed. The teachers have always been caring and competent. I pray the tradition never goes away. Thanks so much for caring and sharing. Love you.
Danielle Dingler Brown Your Dad IS as much Kirby School as anyone up there! I couldn't wait to visit with him after every home game!
Phyllis House-Cogburn Very good. You are so good at expressing the truth. I miss Ronnie and his visits at the phone store. Love and miss you.
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