United: A remarkable year for our KoMets

What an unbelievable year it has been for our KoMets, not only in athletics, but across all of our activities.
There is something special happening in our schools, something unique that I have had the privilege to witness, and I know many of you have seen it as well.
It began last fall. We celebrated an individual athlete advancing to state in cross country (I was a CC and track kid, so I’m a fan), and what a proud moment that was. However, the excitement did not stop there. Our football team captured the energy of an entire community during a true border battle, defeating a neighboring school and advancing all the way to the state tournament. The pride that swept through our towns was unforgettable.
Then came winter and with it, something even more remarkable.
Both our girls and boys hockey teams skated their way to the state tournament appearances On the surface, that achievement alone is extraordinary, but what made it truly special was something deeper. Our traditional “border battle” transformed into unity. Students from Byron and Kasson-Mantorville competed side by side on the ice, cheering on our Dodge County Wildcats. Rivals became teammates. School lines blurred in the best possible way.
The sportsmanship I witnessed was the finest I have seen in my career. The stands were overflowing with students from all of our co-op schools. They weren’t divided by school colors, instead they were covered in spirited dress-up themes. They cheered for their friends, their neighbors, and their teammates. They wished each other nothing but success.
I saw the K-M and Byron pep bands play together! What a tribute to both of our outstanding fine arts programs.
I saw two Activities Directors working side by side, modeling the same unity and cooperation we hope to instill in our students.
One moment stands out to me. I watched our state gymnast walk across the street between sessions to support the amazing girls hockey team, even though she would be competing later that same day. When the hockey crowd left the arena, many of those same students walked over to the gymnastics venue to return the support. That is character. That is community. That is what makes us special.
You’ve heard me say it before--young people sometimes get a bad rap--but when I look at our students, I see something different. I see young men and women who fill the stands. I see students who cheer for whoever is in front of them, whether it’s athletics, music, speech, FFA, robotics, or any other activity. I see great sportsmanship. I see pride. I see respect.
To our students: I am incredibly proud of you. Keep filling those student sections. Keep cheering as loudly as you can. Keep supporting one another and not just in victory, but in effort and heart. You represent our schools and our communities in the very best way.
This has been an unbelievable year for our KoMets…. not just because of wins and titles, but because of who you are and how you show up for one another. And that makes me one very proud superintendent.