We did it! The Pickle Ballers raised $1000.00 for the “March to a Million” Campaign for our local high school - KDSS.

Fifty pickle ballers and helpers gathered last Thursday evening to celebrate sport - character - meaning - and raise much needed funds for our local high school. Kincardine District Senior School’s new facility will begin the process of building in the next several months. It’s exciting. It’s thrilling. It’s going to be great for our community. It’s also expensive.

The Round Robin tournament featured 8 players on 5 courts and six players on the 6th court. Each player plays 7 games with 7 different partners against different combinations of opposing players. Rather than totalling up your wins - you total up your points. It’s great fun.

Two courts saw advanced players go head - to - head - with most games going the distance. 11 - 10. Very competitive. Great rallies. Passion. Grit. Thrills and chills. Two courts featured intermediate players - great fun - great competition. One court saw our Rec players - including two newbies to our sport - enjoy the evening of activity and entertainment and delight. The 6th court saw our high school teachers and students take part in our evening. We were encouraged to see them come and participate.

I loved and still do love - everything - school! My own high school years were some of the best of my life. I had great teachers - gym and music - my personal favourites. I had great coaches. I had good friends. High School was a tremendous positive in my life.

I also loved the years my sons were in high school. Randy and I rarely missed a game - volleyball - basketball - football - rugby - soccer - tennis - badminton. We were on the sidelines - cheering and encouraging. My only regret is that the years passed far too quickly.

I still love school - only now I see it and witness it through the eyes of my grandchildren. We attend the games here in town - and for my “out - of - town” families - I call - I text - I message with words of encouragemnt and love - checking in regularly of who is doing what when.

What makes a great school? What makes our local KDSS great? This!

#1. A strong and supportive community surrounds the school. Grandparents, parents, friends and the greater “village” leans into the school - with encouragement for both staff and students - volunteering time and effort when needed - reminding themselves and the school members that all are respected and honoured and belong.

I heard recently about a grandmother of one of the students at KDSS invites her grandson and a number of his friends over for lunch - everyday - feeds them - treats them - cleans up after them - gives them a place at her table. She never knows if there will be three or five or seven! Whoever comes through her back door is welcome. What grace. What love. What a blessing to those boys. They’ll never forget her. This woman exemplifies a strong and supportive community.

#2. Feedback. Meaningful feedback is always important. Whether it’s at school, in the home or workplace - it is good to get in the practice of asking for it - listening to the answers - putting it into practice.

When our boys were in middle/high school - we practiced this very thing in our home. We had three strong virtues that we practiced as a family and reviewed them regularly with the boys. We would discuss whether we needed to add anything or change anything - whether we were too strict or too lenient - and always - asked our sons how we were doing as parents. Sometimes we’re afraid of feedback - that it will be all negative - most times it’s positive. But even in negative feedback - there are lessons to be learned.

#3. A standard of behaviour and discipline. Just like in a home - in society - in the workplace - in the sports arena - schools - too - must continue this practice.

We had the great privilege of raising three really nice humans. From the time the boys were babies, we established a fairly regular routine. It was nothing special - at least I thought that at the time. Now I realize how special it was. I was home with our boys - all day - every day. Throughout those days we ate - we played (inside and out) - we rested - we read - we played with friends - we tidied up - we did chores - we enjoyed each day. When behaviour was unfavourable - there were consequences. When we gave instructions to our toddlers - it wasn’t negotiated. The hardest work was done before they went to school. Truly.

Society - homes - workplaces - schools - can’t exist in chaos. There must be order. There must be structure. Grateful our local school practices a strong standard.

#4. The Facility and the Equipment. I had the amazing opportunity of attending a brand new high school - for grades 11-13. The original St. Lawrence High School on Second Street in Cornwall was too small for its population. The new St. Lawarence was built for a bilingual population students and the old building became the city’s only all french school - La Citadel. Even back in the 1970’s - our school was modern and up-to-date. Top of the line gymnasium - sporting equipment and laboratories - cafeteria - full stage for productions - football field and 8 lane track. Those things made our school top notch and a pleasure to attend.

#5. Huge commitment to extra-curricular activities. Music - sports - drama - clubs etc. It is during these activities that students benefit socially - physically - emotionally - learn teamwork - perfect leadership - and learn life long skills.

The high school I attended had a points program - whereby - a student could accumulate points by participating in extra curricular activities. I was involved in sports - the band - and the musicals our school performed. Through my years at St. Lawrence I accumulated enough points to earn my school sweater with the year I graduated sewn on the sleeve. My grand daughter wears that sweater now. She loves it.

It’s for these reasons and more that the Pickle Ballers in Kincardine and area wanted to contribute to the “March to a Million” campaign. As we invest our time, money and energy - it will be our joy to cheer for - encourage and bless the next generation. Our grandchildren and perhaps great grandchildren will greatly benefit from attending this beautiful, brand new school.