» Panthers benefit from grant

Thursday, March 11, 2010 | No comments posted. Thanks to the generosity of the community, the Harbor Lights Middle School boys basketball teams had new uniforms this year.

The reversible black and gold jerseys and black game shorts were purchased from Gibson Graphics, which also screen-printed the team name and numbers on the jerseys.

Mr. and Mrs. Michael L. Keiser and the Oregon Community Foundation made a sizable donation to the middle school athletic program in December, just before the boys’ season began. A portion of the donated funds was spent to replace their old uniforms, with the remainder earmarked for uniforms and/or equipment upgrades for other middle school sports, including girls basketball and volleyball, boys and girls cross country and track, and football.   

Deborah Greenfield, middle school principal and athletic director, expressed her appreciation to the Oregon Community Foundation and the Keisers for their “generous” assistance.

“I also wish to recognize the commitment of our middle school basketball coaches, Tom Jackson, Silia Polamalu and Tyler Wiprud, and our dedicated players and their family and friends who came to cheer every Saturday during the basketball season,” said Greenfield.

She added that she was proud of the boys’ attitude and sportsmanship during the season. “Their behavior on the court was exemplary,” she said. “They played hard and fair, and didn’t argue with the coach or officials, even when there was a questionable call. They simply played the game and did their very best.

“I am just as proud of these boys as if they had won the championship. Being a person of good character is something that we promote here at school all the time, and displaying good sportsmanship on the court shows that these boys have taken this lesson beyond the school-day setting. I strongly believe that it doesn’t matter how many games you win or lose, but what kind of role model you are. These boys are a positive role model for the rest of our students and I’m very proud of them for showing that to the rest of the community.”