Dear Editor,
For the second consecutive year, Tioga Central is ranked among the top 100 of N.Y. upstate schools, and last year their graduation rate of 94 percent was the highest in Tioga County.
I have a great appreciation for the dedicated men and women who not only teach, but also service as coaches for the students who compete on academic and athletic teams. These teacher-coaches and their student-athletes diligently labor to hone skills, learn respect for one another and work to build teams that represent the school, and our community well. The number of banners that line the walls of the gym, the photos of individual champions in the hallways and the awards crowding the trophy cases testify to the success achieved over the years.
To my mind these “artifacts” are not merely momentary, but momentous. They are “milestones” that mark achievement. The attainment of a goal reached only by hard work, sacrifice, and discipline; traits that are to be celebrated, not disregarded after a period of time and discarded. The lack of any such remembrance as trophies, photos, paintings, etc. from when Tioga Central opened its doors in 1939 to the oldest currently on display, is an obvious indication, that at one point in time they were not respected as they should have been. Hopefully there has been a change of heart towards respect for history and those who came before us.
Yes, we did win a state championship in football this past fall. It was a very big deal for all of us, and the community celebration was unbelievable, in my estimation. The fact both the semi-final and final games were televised gave Tioga Central a lot of exposure. That the players and coaches interviewed afterward handled themselves so well, spoke volumes regarding our school and our program. Playing the championship game in the Carrier Dome didn’t hurt either, and neither did playing so well against such worthy opponents as Bishop Kearney and Ticonderoga.
I know, personally, from speaking with players and parents of both teams, there was only the highest regard expressed for our kids, individually and as a team. No athlete likes to lose, but really good ones have respect for each other, regardless which side they are on, especially if they play hard, with integrity and give 100 percent. That says a lot about the teacher-coaches too.
You should check out the WATS Scholarship Challenge schedule and attend the matches when area schools go head to head. If you were to check as to which schools have won the most Challenges, you would find Tioga among those near the top. Personally, I think we have been very blessed to experience so much success in both academic and athletic competition with other schools.
In closing, if you have children, grandchildren or great grandchildren attending Tioga Elementary school, consider yourself fortunate they do, and that they have their own facility where they can learn to swim. That’s a lifetime sport that has a lifetime of benefits.
Sincerely,
Doug Graves
Tioga Center, N.Y.
