Our Viewpoint

The picture to the right is after Trae Thilmony won his second state wrestling championship over the weekend in Shelby. His younger brother Lane ran up and gave him a hug. He was so proud of his big brother.

This moment that his mom, Doree, captured with her phone made me so proud. Trae's little brothers look up to him, and I'm sure a lot of kids in the school look up to him and other student leaders. Helping kids realize the impact they have on those younger than them is an important part of being a parent, an aunt or a mentor. In turn, we need to be the ones to make a positive impact on those in our lives.

On Sunday, community members gathered at Thompson Falls High School to welcome home the Blue Hawk wrestlers from state. On Tuesday, community member lined Main Street to send off the boys basketball team as they headed to the state tournament. Both days, I looked around and saw all the different people who had influenced those athletes and been a part of their journey.

There's that old saying, "watch what you say and do because little eyes are watching." It's true. What we do impacts our youths. Remember that our kids are watching and learning in how we talk to people and react to situations.

I'd challenge us all to conduct ourselves like champions and be good influences.

- ­Annie Wooden