Letters to the Editor

To the Editor:

The victory at state (November 7-9) was the zenith of my volleyball life. The experience made me laugh and it made me cry; it made me realize that if you work hard you can achieve any dream; and it made me appreciate how special my fans are.

I would like to first say thank to all of the people in the community who came to watch our team this season. The crowd was amazing at state! Thank you to the "Women Who Matter," Mrs. Dempsey, Mrs. Garrison, and Mrs. Pagano. You gave us love and laughter. Thank you to all of the parents who gave us treats and mental candy. Thanks especially to ÖRthe boys," with their wacky hair and crazy cheers; they not only fired us up before every game but also succeeded in scaring the other teams.

Thanks Coach Jones, Brad, Mrs. Spear, and Mrs. Misener.

My biggest thank you of all goes to my family: Erin, Mom, and Dad -- you are the wind beneath my wings! Thank you to Nanny, who faithfully wore my button to every game; and to Grandma Margie, who ignored her pets so she could come watch in Eugene. Thanks Ashley and Mikey for keeping me in shape with baseball and gymnastics.

Suzie "Q" and Heather "Demps" are the most amazing teammates and friends I could imagine. I'll miss you, my two senior amigos.

I would also like to say thank you to a special friend who gave me inspiration. My freshman year he was our team trainer, he taped my stinky feet every day. Once during daily doubles I uttered a complaint about being tired, and he looked up at me with those big brown eyes and said "Kel, I'd give anything to be out there playin' right now."

And when he finally got to go out on the field he not only played -- he competed, he never gave up, and he was a team leader. I miss you Kevin!

Thanks for the wonderful season!

Love,

Kelly Davis

To the Editor:

I would first like to say thank you to all the people who now support or who have ever supported the dance team. We really appreciate it.

Now, to Mrs. Nalle, I would like to educate you on how our dance team operates.

I don't understand how you can say that we don't have any character. How much more character do we need? There are 14 very dedicated girls on our team, and we definitely work together as a team.

In the future we hope to be state and possible national champions. Dancing is very important to all of us, and I think that all of us will carry this experience with us for the rest of our lives. If you want your girls on the teams, tryouts are in June. Hope to see you there!

Love,

Joselyn Snyder

Dance Team Member

To the Editor:

I would like to respond to Ruth Nalle's Letter to the Editor in the November 6 edition of The Nugget and help "set her straight" as to the objectives and goals of the Sisters High School Dance Team. As Assistant Coach for two years and as a mother of one of the Dance Team members I feel qualified to enlighten Ms. Nalle.

The Oregon Dance/Drill Coaches Association has 11 official stated goals and objectives which we abide by. A summary of these goals would include "to teach physical fitness through activity, to teach emotional fitness through teamwork, to instill an appreciation of dance as an art form, to participate in school functions and contribute to the spirit and pride of the high school and to stress the importance of competition as a means of motivation to excellence and not as an end in itself."

Our 14 girls work very hard, practicing eight hours a week, performing at all home football and basketball games, marching in Sisters and Bend parades, competing in four to five competitions during the year and at the OSAA State Championships in March and, as a nonfunded activity, staging numerous fundraisers during the year.

One of our girls, who does a large part of our choreography and most of the teaching to the other team members, is pursuing a career in dance and has already received many awards. On a personal level, without my daughter's Dance Team experience she would not have the opportunity to perform in the Walt Disney World Christmas Parade in Orlando, Florida, this Christmas.

I hope this clears up any confusion as to the values we are teaching "our girls" and how Dance Team prepares them for their future, much the same way as other high school sports.

Sincerely,

Sandy Tartaglia

Assistant Coach Dance Team

To the Editor:

Regarding the Sisters Christmas Parade: As everyone must know, it's never just one person, but many who make things come together.

I would like to thank Lucy Grittman, Barbara Hinkey, Diana Kelleher, Chet McConville, Kim Renwick, and Carolyn Reynolds who helped me, for without them this parade would not have been made possible. Thanks again for all of your efforts.

Gratefully yours,

Tony Lee

To the Editor:

For the last four years, the Sisters Outlaws volleyball team has given me hours of entertainment, and then they gave me more.

I was the most grateful winner of their raffle for tickets to the 49ers-Cowboys football game in San Francisco on November 10. I had more fun than maybe one person deserves.

I'd like to thank the volleyball team for a great day at Candlestick, Phil Arends and Desert Wings for airfare, the San Francisco 49ers and their rep for really nice seats, and a guy named Jerry for special treatment. Thanks, also, to my friend, Mark, for being a fun traveling partner, a perfect choice. For his work in Costa Rica, he deserved this.

We returned home to learn that the girls won the state championship and that felt like the cherry on the top. Thanks, Outlaws, for the memories. And keep the celebration going. You earned it.

Bonnie Malone

To the Editor:

We would like to thank the Brownies of Troops 783 and 170, as well as their mothers and leaders, for their efforts in cleaning up the area at the intersection of Hood and Cascade Avenues.

As the planting efforts at the gardens in this same area approach the maintenance phase, we would like to again thank the community for its support of development of this area into one which so many will enjoy for years. Sincerely,

Sisters Garden Club

Maggie Hughes, President