A Round of Applause

And that is a wrap!  LYSA TOPSoccer’s fall 2015 season has come to an end.  

This past Sunday I attended the end of season party to celebrate all of the athletes and their hard work.  It was held at Henry Clay High School in Lexington from 1-3PM in the cafeteria.  

Ceremony Room

My classmates and I showed up early to help set up.  We organized the carnival room full of games and prizes, as well as the dining area.  Rachel and I were put in charge of Halloween decorations - we may have gone a bit overboard . . . oops!  But, I have to say, it was one festive looking cafeteria.  

I was assigned to work the prize wheel.  It was numbered one through eight and each even number correlated to a prize - soccer pencil, vampire teeth, temporary tattoos, etc.  Janice, the TOPSoccer volunteer coordinator, told me that each child had two chances to spin and win a prize.  Well…I did not exactly have the heart to tell the kids they did not win so I let them keep spinning until they landed on an even number.  Again, oops.  

Sweet Joella watching her teammates receive their trophies!

The athletes and their families arrived, all in Halloween costumes.  They first went through the carnival room, making scary masks, spinning the prize wheel, guessing the number of candy corn kernels in a bowl.  Next was lunch, catered by Fazoli’s and Cane’s with a different dessert brought by each family.  

The best part came next: the recognition ceremony.  Each team was called to stand in front of the room as their coaches praised their successes and accomplishments.  Each athlete walked away with a trophy and a smile from ear to ear.  

A player hugging his coach

It was sweet to watch each athlete receive their trophy and recognition, especially the kids I worked closely with throughout the season.  What was even sweeter was watching the parents’ faces as their children were recognized.  It was apparent how unique and rare the experience was to see their child praised in front of an audience, as their children probably do not have the opportunity to attend regular school/sports banquets.  The pride in their hearts and love for their children was written all over their faces.  To have an outside adult praise their child meant the world to them, I could just tell.  

I wish the parents could know how much of an impact their children had on me.  I am sure they think us volunteers show up because it is a mandatory service project for a class that we just want an A in.  And maybe that was the case the first day.  But, it quickly became so much more than that.  These small miracles taught me how to accept everyone for who they are, flaws and perfections and all.  They reminded me that life is one small step at a time and as long as it is a step forward, it is a step worth taking.  I am grateful to the parents for allowing me to be a part of their child’s life.  

The banquet was a sweet end to a humbling experience!