Old Man, will always be our number one fan

"You young kids are all so special to me."
   These are only a couple of the encouraging words I heard from      Mr. Don at every football game last season, and only one basketball game because he was admitted to the hospital shortly after the season started. Little did we know what huge journey this man has been on, and we now may never know, but I wonder why he never complained and always had such a positive attitude, even when we asked?  Because he was never concerned with himself, when he was at a Palmetto High sporting event, he was AT a Palmetto High Sporting event mentally, and physically. He was completely focused on the students and the game, not himself.  
   There were times that he seemed more into the football game than the football players themselves, as I observed from the sidelines as a cheerleader on those Friday nights these past two fall seasons. Every time the cheer team seemed down, all we had to do was look up at the stands and see Mr. Don, and instant smiles beamed across all of our faces.
   There are not enough kind words I can say about this man, visiting him the the hospital and bringing him cards as he told me they should definitely make me one of those girls they throw in the air because I was a "small little thing" is a memory that I will never forget.
   As Palmetto High students say a sad goodbye to Mr. Don, we have to remember that we have tons more support, even though nobody will ever replace the memory of Mr. Don. He will always be remembered as the face of Palmetto High sports fans, and will be greatly missed. 

PHS Reputation: Rising From the Ashes

  It is clear that Palmetto High School is looked at as an "underdog" school amongst other schools pertaining to sports. Many athletes get frustrated with this, and instead of making them work harder, it makes them want to quit or give up. This frustration has been shown by not only athletes, but with coaches also. Palmetto High School is constantly labled as a bad school, and with that reputation comes a reputation of a bad sports program. This assumtion is untrue. Palmetto High School's coaches and athletes give everything they have every year, in season and out of season and practice hard to improve and get better. Just like any other leading schools in manatee county. But where this frustration comes in, is Palmetto High School is not recognized for this effort, for example; Our soccer team has reached the final four, two years in a row, Our football team has a new head coach and is getting new score boards, helmets, practice gear, etc., Our row team, which is the first of its kind in Manatee County, is up and running and is supported and sponsored by Jane Lynch, our volleyball team bought new uniforms, and our track just was refinished and painted for the upcoming season.
    Instead of looking at Palmetto High School as an underdog, we should be looked as a school to expect improvement from. It has taken a while to finally get to a point of success but with dedication and hard work, we are making our way up slowly, but surley. Our community can expect great things from the Palmetto High School sports program in the years to come.