Colburn Comments
Life has a way of throwing surprises at you.
Like getting a call out of the blue for a year-old job application I'd written off as a lost cause long ago.
"Colburn comments" is going on hiatus once again, this time so the writer can resume his chosen profession, early childhood education, as director of the 1,800-child Charles R. Drew University Head Start program in Los Angeles, Calif.
The best part of the past six months has been the chance to watch and report the activities of the youths of Marion and Florence.
There are far too many highlights to mention, but I'll choose a few anyway:
— The MHS cross country team. Pick a moment, any moment. Pick a runner, any runner. The whole group personified TEAM as well as any I've ever seen.
— Any time Austin Hager took a handoff on the gridiron — with the drive and determination he had, there was always the chance he'd break an exciting run.
— The Marion-Florence FFA Mud Run on Old Settlers' Day. It was so much fun, I spent hours and hours putting together a video slide show about it — hope the kids enjoyed it as much as I enjoyed their youthful exuberance.
— In the midst of a tough volleyball season, the spirited runs keyed by Erin Richmond, Kari Tajchman, and Erin Carr that rattled stronger opponents.
— The "owl prowl" with Marion Elementary students at Marion Reservoir. What a hoot (what, you thought I could leave without one last bad pun? Wrong.).
— The MHS production of "My Fair Lady," and the stellar performances of Tedra Eis and Jordan Timm. Nothing short of phenomenal.
— All the frivolity and fun of homecoming week activities for football and basketball. I'm still looking for that lousy llama.
— Calvin Jeffrey, whether intercepting passes, driving and dishing, or scoring from anywhere on the floor. What a competitor.
— Watching Lindsay Hett bring the ball up the court — anyone who saw Mark Turgeon play college hoops at KU should recognize some similarities in style and intensity.
— The MHS/PBHS wrestling team. I never expected I'd end up liking wrestling as much as I did, and I doubt I'll ever meet a finer young man than John Barr III.
— The first three quarters of the Lady Warriors' substate contest at Hesston, where an outstanding effort proved records aren't always a good measure of a team.
Too, too many have been left out of this list. The overall spirit and talent of our youth has been phenomenal. I've truly been blessed to see them in action.
These kids have so much to offer beyond the entertainment value of their activities. The students at MHS are some of the most talented, smartest kids to ever walk those halls.
I leave for the West Coast believing the futures of Marion and Florence hinge on, as much as anything else, how well the communities can embrace and engage those talents in all aspects of community life.
There are great kids here ready to do great things in the community NOW. Don't watch and wait and read about them someday after they've left.
— Very truly yours,
David Colburn
