Jill's Journal: Thanks for the memory ...

Thanks for the memory.

The late Bob Hope ended each of his television specials with this trademark song, which he sang alongside Shirley Ross in the 1938 film by the same name.

Over this past week, my friends and family have encouraged me to relish the memories that I have of my mother. The laughs. The special moments. The holidays. Family vacations. Silly moments. Stupid moments. Sad times. And good times.

I have, and I will continue to remember them all in the days to come.

In recent weeks, I’ve been on the sidelines with camera in hand, capturing many of the memories being made by our Lynx student-athletes. This past weekend, I steered my car to Rapid City to capture memories being made by the volleyball team as they made a run for the second consecutive year at the Class AA state title.

I remember when I first came to Brandon and began snapping photos and writing stories about the volleyball team, we were lucky if we won a couple of matches that season. And we when the team did claim victory, you would’ve thought we’d just won the state championship.

We’ve certainly come a long way over the last 16 years. Not only are we churning out state tourney-caliber teams, but the girls finally captured their first ever ESD Conference title in the program’s history.

So, thanks volleyball team, for the memory.

A week earlier, I stood on the sidelines of the USD DakotaDome capturing memories one being made by the Lynx football team one click at a time. Once again, the Lynx were one of the two 11AAA teams playing their hearts out to be South Dakota’s No. 1 team in the largest class of the sport.

I can only remember one season that the Lynx bowed out of the post-season early. One season in 16 years. That’s a pretty impressive run of success, and in recent years has been highlighted in a handful of state champinships.

So, thanks football team, for the memory.

Last month, I snapped photos at state tournaments where our cheer and dance teams, the cross country runners  and the girls’ tennis teams were all on the same quest to be the best in their respective sport.

The dance team achieved perfection. The cheer team overcame obstacles to land in the top five, and our cross country runners, although they didn’t bring home the top prizes, once again ran their happy little hearts out to be among the top tier teams.

So, thanks Lady Lynx dance team, BV cheer team, cross country and girls’ tennis teams, for the memories.

Our boys’ and girls’ soccer teams also made aggressive bids to be the best among their respective competitors. And while neither programs made it to that final game this season, they created memories in their fierce play.

So, thanks Lynx soccer teams, for the memory.

I’d be remiss if I didn’t include the girls’ softball team and the Marching Lynx, both of whom wrapped up their respective seasons with some admirable accolades and top-notch performances.

So, thanks Lady Lynx softball and Marching Lynx, for the memories.

In just a few weeks, we’ll be cheering on our girls’ and boys’ basketball teams, our defending state champion wrestling team, our girls’ and boys’ bowling teams and our Lynx powerlifters. It’s a new season for us all. It’s a time for new goals and dreams of being the best. And a time for new memories to be made. 

So, before the first match is wrestled or ball is tipped-off, I just want to say, “Thanks for the memories, Lynx.”

You make us all proud.