When it comes to competitive sports, we can easily get so caught up in winning that we forget about something more important than the final score: Good sportsmanship. One aspect of good sportsmanship is treating opposing players and fans with courtesy and respect. I was so impressed by the remarkable display of sportsmanship exhibited by the Gravette Lions when hosting the Heber Springs Panthers in the second round of the Class 4A football playoffs.
My family, among many other parents and fans, made the long journey from Heber Springs to Lion Stadium on Nov. 20, anticipating a highly competitive game against a very accomplished team. What we weren’t expecting was the level of hospitality and respect displayed toward our team and fans, including welcome signs, hot chocolate and homemade cookies distributed in the visitor stands, and sack lunches for the players for the long ride home. The Gravette players, students, coaches fans and sports announcer went out of their way to display a level of goodwill and sportsmanshiptruly representative of champions, and almost unheard of in today’s competitive environment. I can honestly say this was the most positive high school competition I have ever attended, regardless of the final outcome.
On behalf of my family and many other Heber Springs parents and fans, thank you to all who represented your city and school with such hospitality and generosity, and congratulations to both the Gravette Lions and the Heber Springs Panthers on their winning 2009 football seasons.
MELINDA WILKINSON
Heber Springs A VISIT
TO THE SENATORS This past week my family and I were visiting relatives in Washington D.C. We took the time to meet with our Senators form Arkansas (Pryor and Lincoln) to express our opinion on the impactful health care legislation being debated and the direction that our country is going. To Sen.
Pryor’s credit he was answering the phones and polite. We askedhim to vote against the health care bill. He said that he was going to vote for it. We asked him what he thought the people of Arkansas wanted. Mark Pryor said Arkansans were against the bill, but they would be for it once he explained it to them. He must realize that those opposed are very informed and do not want this expansive government program which will take over 1 /6 of our economy. Next we stopped by Sen. Blanche Lincoln’s office.
She was unavailable; however her health policy advisor was.
The phone rang non stop while we waited. The lady at the desk wondered how many constituents where not able to get through by phone. We asked the aide what percentage of the phone calls were against the health care bill, she hesitated and then simply said “the majority”. Even though the people of Arkansas have called and expressed their views concerning this bill we have two senators who voted in opposition to the people’s voice. Let your voice be heard at the next election and vote them out.
DONNA & SCOTT WINN
Bentonville
Opinion, Pages 5 on 12/30/2009