Lighting up the Valley… Happy Valley joins others in honoring spring sports teams
Published 10:05 am Friday, April 10, 2020
BY IVAN SANDERS
STAR SPORTS EDITOR
It would be hard to imagine being a high school senior looking forward to your final year in a spring sport only to be told the sport has been put on suspension due to a pandemic that has taken over the world.
Yet, that is the case as COVID-19 has grabbed the United States by the throat and brought school and sports to a red flag stop.
But Happy Valley has decided not to let the lack of seeing its athletes on the field stop them from honoring the athletes who are having to endure the stoppage.
Following the trend across the country, on Wednesday night at 8:20, the lights were flipped on lighting up the entire valley on the softball, baseball, and football fields.
“Our coaches at Happy Valley came across an idea that we are going to implement at Happy Valley starting tonight (Wednesday),” said football head coach Jason Jarrett. “The football, baseball, and softball programs will be turning on our stadium lights at 8:20 for 20 minutes.
“It will symbolize that our players, students, and community as a whole, are on our minds and in our thoughts and prayers, especially this year’s 2020 senior class which has been forced to miss so many milestones and memories these past few weeks.”
With Happy Valley being one of the first schools many see coming into the county from Johnson City, lights from the fields typically illuminate all the way up to the four-lane as commuters pass by.
Jarrett commented on how the lights being on have been a beacon to let people know of life going on around the school.
“People are used to driving by Happy Valley and seeing stadium lights on,” Jarrett said. “So, this will hopefully spread hope and assurance that they are on our minds and we look forward to getting back to our normal way of life soon.”
Jarrett also noted that when it comes to the sports side, the wins and losses are not what athletics are all about.
“At Happy Valley, we love our students and athletes,” Jarrett said. “It is more than just wins or losses. Hopefully, this will be a ray of light that can shine during these stressful times.”
It is not known how long that the lights will be turned on but Jarrett hopes to continue for a few nights at least.
