Never have I experienced something as energizing or loud – think 117 decibels loud – as when roughly 5,500 Poudre and Thompson school district elementary students filled the stands of Moby Arena for the 2023 Education Day.
Our fourth and fifth graders screamed, danced, and chanted “C-S-U,” as they cheered the Colorado State University women’s basketball team on to a Feb. 2 victory against the Utah State Aggies. Although the Rams’ 86-64 win was impressive, what I am most proud of is our community's strength.
This once-in-a-lifetime field trip represented more than a fun afternoon at a ball game. It was the first time that many – if not most – of our younger students stepped foot on a college campus. In doing so, it is our greatest hope that seeds were planted about the possibility of higher education, one of their many options after high school. They also witnessed teamwork in action, opponents helping each other up after a fall, and a shared commitment to public education.
All around me, I saw people in the arena together – giving their time, energy and passion to a worthy cause. There were dozens of CSU and school district staff members whose months of planning and in-the-moment coordination resulted in a standout event. There were bus drivers, school staff, parents and volunteers who helped thousands of students get to and from the game. There were CSU players who stayed after the buzzer to sign autographs, making students feel connected to and seen by celebrities in their community. There were PSD alumni, whose voices joined with student voices in the stands. And there were benefactors like CSU, Scheels, Woodward, and Canvas Credit Union that donated money to support our teachers and students.
Being in the arena together doesn’t happen by accident. It happens by design, through intentional partnership and the shared values of learning, inclusion, courage and collaboration. I am grateful for CSU and PSD’s many other community partners, and I look forward to working with our team to continue growing our relationships for years to come.
