Donkey basketball coming to Bronaugh

By Steve Moyer

Nevada Daily Mail

Several members of the Bronaugh community are going to make spectacles of themselves at 7 p.m., Sunday, Jan. 23 at the Bronaugh School, and the public is invited to see them, when they climb on board donkeys for a rousing evening of basketball to help raise funds for the Character Education program at the school.

The Character Education program encourages six principles: Citizenship, fairness, trustworthiness, respect, responsibility and caring, principles that impact students' success in school, home, community and life. "It's a really good program for all schools," Julie Forkner, program coordinator, said. "We've seen a lot of the negatives, teen pregnancy, violence and other problems go down. It's a great program."

The school has assemblies every Monday, activities on Friday and monthly assemblies featuring awards for students nominated based on the six principles. A variety of speakers, who share how those principals have impacted their lives, frequently visit the school to tell of their experiences.

Three games will be played that evening by four teams to determine the winner. Noted citizens from Bronaugh and Vernon County are going to be on hand for the games, which should prove to be entertaining, whoever wins. "Everyone should come out and see our principal, Tim Judd, ride a donkey," Forkner said.

Sheriff Ron Peckman and Deputy Dan Miller will act as cheerleaders during the games. The two will be dressed in Bronaugh's colors. "They will be leading cheers in the Bronaugh wildcats attire," Forkner said.

There will be a poop patrol, Jill Couch and Stacy Gordon, to clean up any accidental release of donkey doo.

The roster for the four teams are: A team -- Bronaugh faculty and school board members, principal Tim Judd, board member Tom Riley, board member David Shaw, coach Courtney Pryor, Gina Dodson and Diane McNeil; All Stars -- Vernon County Celebrities, mayor Sherry Brown, Bronaugh 1 Stop Rhonda Murphy, Vernon County Treasurer Phil Couch; University Extension Carol Parmenter, Bill Fleming, and Patrick Skaggs; Law and Disorders -- fire chief Ed Post, fireman Steve Hoye, fireman Colby Starne, Abby Starne, and deputy Ray Cliffman; We're Outta Here -- Tyler Judd, Bud Driskel, Alex Gordon, Kayla Stewart, and Brittany Mart.

A chili supper will begin at 5 p.m., the cost of the supper is not known at press time. Tickets for the game are $5 in advance and $7 at the door. Concessions will be available at the game.