Championship team lives character trait of self-discipline

Thursday, June 2, 2011
The Vernon County Youth Task Force selected the 2010 Nevada High School Softball team, who fought their way to a state championship, as the group that embodies the VCYTF's character trait of the month -- self discipline.

The 2010 Nevada Lady Tigers State Champion softball team has been selected as representing the word of the month for May. Self-discipline said coach Tammy Holcomb "relates directly back to practice."

Holcomb said she also thought her team showed self discipline by "knowing what you can do and do as a team." Holcomb went on to say that "practicing it --being confident, helps to develop self discipline."

Many of the girls of the 17-member team have been playing competitive ball together since they were 10 years old, according to Holcomb.

The team won Nevada's first ever Class 3 State Softball Championship with a record of 23-5 in October 2010; and Nevada High School Athletic Director Kevin McKinley said that championship game is where the team showed what self-discipline is all about.

McKinley mentioned a play late in the game that put the opposing team in the lead and how that can be a crushing blow to individual and team morale. But, he said, "those girls maintained their composure and persevered and came back and took the lead."

That situation is tough in any game, the director said; but in a state championship game, the pressure is "incredible." He said the girls on the team had the self-discipline to prevent that mistake from having a significant impact. He also said that each member of the team displays self- discipline in balancing "the time demands of academics and athletics." McKinley said that he believes the selection of this team as best representing the word of the month was "an excellent choice."

A new word of the month and an a person or group that emulates that word will be chosen for the next month and anyone in Vernon County can nominate a person they think emulates that word. The guidelines are that the candidate must reside in Vernon County and the nominee may be of any age. Those wishing to nominate someone should complete a nomination form by writing why they believe the nominee is a good role model and use specific examples of how the person exhibits the character word of the month. From these nominations, citizens living in different areas of Vernon County will choose one of the applicants.

Patience is the word of the month for June. Nomination forms for the month of June and each month thereafter must be returned by the 15th of the preceding month. More information on the Word of the Month and nomination forms can be obtained online at http://vernoncounty.hpage.com/. Forms will soon be available on the VCYTF Facebook page and at area businesses. Mail or drop off completed forms at 300 West Cherry Street, Nevada, MO 64772.

Nomination forms also may be obtained or turned in by contacting Michelle Lockard at the Division of Social Services at mckard128@hotmail.com.

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