Dig deep, stay strong

“I believe that team work is still what gets us through these times,” Logan Wright, head coach of the Saratoga football team and Saratoga High P.E. teacher said. “Our family grows thicker roots and chemistry and we come out better than ever.”

Wright is speaking about how COVID-19 has been a game changer in education and sports as parents, students and athletes adjust to staying at home as much as possible while this virus plays havoc with Wyoming and the nation.

Jackie Jones, head coach of the Hanna, Elk Mountain, Medicine Bow (HEM) High School girls volleyball team and track coach and Hanna Elementary 6th grade teacher is aware of how much has changed for all.

“COVID-19 has taught me to live in the moment. I know I genuinely love my students and athletes, but this has shown me how mush I do,” Jackie said. “I have been told before,’ you don’t get it, because you don’t have kids of your own.’ I always respond with, ‘all kids are my own,’ but now it hits home more than ever.”

Jackie tremendously misses the day to day teaching of her sixth graders and student athletes.

“Not seeing my students, and now track athletes, has hit me in a way I never thought possible,” Jackie said. “I think about laughing over math jokes and running my kids around the “squares” in Hanna past my old house where I lived in junior high school. Their faces, their smiles, their laughter make me tick. It makes me whole, it makes me want more. I have seen track kids out running and I have received emails from my sixth graders that made me laugh tears of joy.”

Being separated from her students and athletes has made her appreciate what she had before the virus caused the shutdown.

“I know I will never take my contact with my kids for granted ever again,” Jackie said. “I have said several times, this virus has had an impact on the lives of every human on earth. I mean that, and I pray every single day that the passing hours bring me back to the kids I love so dearly.”

Her husband, Cliff Jones, is a social studies and history teacher at HEM, the boys head basketball coach and assistant coach for the track team. He agrees that the COVID-19 virus has been tough to navigate for many.

“Things could be better but they could also be worse. The most important thing, at a time like this, is the health of our students and their families,” Cliff said. “I would hate to be any part of a situation that puts people’s well-being in jeopardy.”

He believes the Carbon County School District No. 2 (CCSD2) took the right precautions to keep people safe.

“The classroom stuff will take care of itself. CCSD2 has taken the best interest of the students into account with the temporary closure of our schools all school related activities,” Cliff said. “The administrators and classroom teachers are working hard to meet the needs of all students to provide the best possible educational experience in these unique times.”

Cliff does realize how hard it is for students that were involved in activities outside the classroom.

“As far as extracurricular activities goes, we will get through this. It’s hard for those student athletes that look forward to track season and even more so for those seniors to have their entire season possibly not existing. There is nothing that can be said to make people feel better about something like this,” Cliff empathized. “It’s not just sports involved here for our students, the FCCLA (Future Career and Community Leaders of America, FFA (Future Farmers of America) and FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America) is just as difficult for some kids as losing track is for others.”

Cliff pointed out how the virus is effecting so many.

“I think the most important thing to remember is that we are all in this together. What about the Olympic athlete that has trained their whole life for their one shot, and maybe they had no chance to get a medal but it was their one opportunity to represent their country and live out their dream and now it is gone?” Cliff said. “This pandemic has not only cheated us here at HEM and the rest of Wyoming high school students, it has impacted the whole world.”

Cliff does have a positive take on the future.

“Long after I’m retired, whoever is then teaching history at HEM will cover this world wide event with their class and I really believe that the true story will be how the world made it through these tough times and maybe, not so much, the missed opportunities,” Cliff concluded.

Zach Scott, the P.E. teacher at Hanna Elementary and head football coach at HEM made clear his door is still open for the students during this tough time for many.

“Please know I am always here for you and don’t hesitate to get a hold of me. Dig Deep. Stay Strong,” Scott said. “This is very confusing and difficult times. Use this time to work on your skills. Great players (and students) are truly made during the off season.”

All coaches agreed, this country will get past this trying time in our history.