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| 2011 Class A Champions |
The team consists of 32 amazing young women athletes. Brooke is in the eighth grade and achieved varsity status last fall. The team practiced three hours each night, and during Christmas vacation, five hours a day. Their grace and beauty, athleticism, enthusiasm and syncronization is astonishing to behold.
The crowds at Target Center were amazing too. Dance team supporters wore T-shirts announcing which team the wearer was cheering on. On the back of parents and family members T-shirts was printed the name of the dancer and their relationship to the dancer "Brooke's Mom," "Brooke's Dad," "Brooke's Sister," "Brooke's Brother." As each Class exited the arena, they cheered and welcomed in the next Class in saying "good luck." Dads and grampas and brothers cheered on their daughters, grand-daughters and sisters as loudly as moms, grammas and sisters! In the 70's and 80's when my girls were competing there were few dads and brothers at their events. My grandchildren win the award (given by gramma) for #1 Sibling Supporters! They had big signs they made and my eldest grand-girl let the Cannon Falls section in cheers for the team.
How often I have heard it said that girls are all about bickering and back-biting. What I saw yesterday was incredible sportswomanship and professionalism - every young woman a champion, every team state champion team and with three in each Class earned the titles of 1st or 2nd or 3rd in their class.
As a high school student in the 1960s, my classmates and I were allowed to play half-court basketball as part of phy ed class and that was the sum total of our opportunity. When children in the 70s and 80s were three and five years old I strongly supported Title IX. Little girls all over the U. S. were able to play T-ball in the summer recreation programs and began playing basketball and vollyball in elementary school and played throughout high school, one went on to compete in track in high school. By the time this generation reached high school they were competing with other high school league teams in their conference. Some of their friends chose tennis and golf. This generation learned both remain committed to being physically active and fit.
All of this is made possible byTitle IX - passed into law June 23, 1972 as part of the Educational Amendments. It requires gender equity for girls and boys in every educational program that receives federal funding. When it passed, the idea that girls would be able to compete at the state level was a dream. That dream has long since become a reality for hundres of thousands of girls!
Now the next generation cannot imagine a time when girls were not practicing and participating and competing in high school athletics - today it is the norm. Competing in basketball and vollyball, learing team work, cooperation and competition are vital life skills for all aspects of life. Title IX - a tremendous 38 year old law - provides these opportunities equally and powerfully. Opportunity and choice are priceless!
Oh - this is the fifth time the Cannon Falls Bombers Dance Teams has taken first place. GO BOMBERS!
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