NA HOKU STAFF
There are 22 athletic teams that represent Moanalua throughout the year, with hundreds of student athletes participating. They participate in sports sanctioned by the OIA and compete against other schools on the island.
For as big a school as Moanalua is, however, the number of spectators is overall low. This is understandable at times; we are students. Some of us have tests to study for, assignments to do, and projects to get together. There are even a number of students holding part time jobs. Schedule conflicts happen, and sometimes nothing can be done when events and personal interest clash.
But then again, we must look at this from the perspective of those also affected directly by this: the student athletes. They put in lots of extra hours after school to practice, train, and improve their skill set for their respective sports. It’s not an easy task. It takes extensive personal sacrifice and commitment in order to balance their own schoolwork--which is likely the same as yours--and their sport.
All of their efforts culminate in those competitions against other schools. There is pressure to do well, to make sure that hard work pays off in the end, to represent Moanalua with pride. In their moment of test and challenge, it would mean a lot of they had support from fellow students. Just seeing bodies in the stands matters, even if they might not be able to tell it’s you. For the opposing side, it demonstrates the level of support Moanalua has for its own.
Find a reason to go to that game. Find something that would motivate you to go and watch. Maybe a player is in one of your classes. Maybe a player is your friend’s sibling.
Pages 14-16 of this issue list the rosters and schedules of the varsity sports currently in season. Check them out and mark your calendar. At the sports rallies, the captains always tell us to “come out and support us.” Resolve this year to do just that.