Our Viewpoint

Last week there was great energy throughout the Thompson Falls community as the Blue Hawks prepared for their state championship game. Parents and students volunteered to paint windows on Main Street. Businesses decorated with banners, signs and balloons. There was a community pep rally, a parade before and after the game, a team dinner with the 1974-75 alumni and a celebration in Thompson Falls after the game that felt like an all-school reunion.

It made me smile to see how the alumni from the previous championship team were so happy for the new champion Hawks. As we told stories Saturday evening, I kept thinking about how in 10 or 20 years, this year's state championship team will be back here reliving these moments. It's pretty special that our local teams get to celebrate state championships.

The best part about all the hype around the football team and the celebration that followed was that everyone was excited. It was actually a great way to start the holiday season. As families and friends gather for Thanksgiving and then Christmas is upon us, we hope that the community keeps that energy and spirit going. We'll have a variety of holiday events in the next month. Maybe we can all take a break from the division and negativity that is becoming so common and just thrive on this positive energy that we are seeing across the county.

—Annie Wooden