An Armstrong Thanksgiving part deux

There are many people that question the value of public high schools in our communities both the institutions and the students. At this Thanksgiving time of year our family would be very ungrateful indeed not to share for the incredible Fall our son has had at Armstrong High School. The students, the coaches, and the teachers have combined to show a huge amount of kindness, acceptance and embracing of diversity.

Our son, Evan, is a 16-year-old sophomore at Armstrong High School. Like many boys his age he is on the football, wrestling and track teams; he struggles a little with his social and science classes, and loves singing in the Varsity choir. He loves both the social and academic parts of school. He thrives on the vibrancy of a large high school with the multitude of opportunities for all students. One difference with Evan is that he was born with Down Syndrome.

A few weeks ago Evan was nominated for homecoming royalty. He, we, were thrilled and delighted by the inclusion and the honor. We attended the Homecoming pep fest and with other parents watched our youth participate. Evan was introduced and he carried himself well, head held high with an arm extended to his female counter-part. We were genuinely delighted by the round of applause he received. At the end of the pep fest when the royalty winners were announced, we were thrilled to hear announced Evan’s name. Then even more thrilling was the roar of approbation. The crowd screamed, clapped, stood and stomped and we as Evan’s parents sat and cried. Tears of gratitude for a school and community that embraces diversity and inclusion. Yes, a reason for an Armstrong Thanksgiving.

This was no fluke; a few weeks later another outpouring of kindness and acceptance occurred. . Evan has been a member of the Sophomore B-squad football team. Coach Dave Hansen and Coach Dan Enna have made it an incredible season. If you’ve ever had a son play football you know what a religion it can be. Evan is a zealous convert to the sport. He trained daily with the team in a safe environment, carefully orchestrated by the coaches. Fast-forward to the Minnetonka B-squad game. Game situation is 4^th quarter, 2^nd and goal from the 8^-yard line, Minnetonka is ahead. Armstrong calls time out. The coach runs out onto the field and has a conversation so that the refs, the Minnetonka coaches and players are all on the same page. After the time-out, Evan goes in as halfback and his number is called. The snap, the hand-off, Armstrong forms a type of wedge up the middle Evan goes high-stepping up the middle crossing the goal-line as the Minnetonka players deliberately move back. He SCORES! All celebrate as Evan runs off the field. The clock – records no change; the scoreboard - records no change; the yard markers - record no change. But a change there has been: another outpouring of graciousness and kindness by the officials, the coaches, and the players of Minnetonka and Armstrong. They gave a minute of fame and glory to a young man who loves football, and loves playing the game with “the guys” but who clearly can’t compete on the same field. Thank you to coaches who train and lead our young men and who are willing to set an example of inclusion and kindness. 

Evan stands a little taller, Evan speaks a little clearer, Evan celebrates a little more. This November 25^th is for us an Armstrong Thanksgiving.

Prom last year

Stuart Jackson and Broch Peniata seniors and members of our congregation  decided if they did not take Evan to Prom with them he might never get the chance. So the two of them made all the arrangements. The tuxes, the dinner, even went so far as to ask a girl (Page Aise out on the date for Evan) Though Page had a boy friend at the time - she graciously went as Evan's date and they had a grand time. She even had her girls friends who weren't members of the church come over for the picture taking and meeting Evan. it was glorious

An Armstrong Thanksgiving

There are many people that question the value of public high schools in our communities both the institutions and the students. At this Thanksgiving time of year our family would be very ungrateful indeed not to share for the incredible Fall our son has had at Armstrong High School. The students, the coaches, and the teachers have combined to show a huge amount of kindness, acceptance and embracing of diversity.

Our son, Evan, is a 16-year-old sophomore at Armstrong High School. Like many boys his age he is on the football, wrestling and track teams; he struggles a little with his social and science classes, and loves singing in the Varsity choir. He loves both the social and academic parts of school. He thrives on the vibrancy of a large high school with the multitude of opportunities for all students. One difference with Evan is that he was born with Down Syndrome.

A few weeks ago Evan was nominated for homecoming royalty. He, we, were thrilled and delighted by the inclusion and the honor. We attended the Homecoming pep fest and with other parents watched our youth participate. Evan was introduced and he carried himself well, head held high with an arm extended to his female counter-part. We were genuinely delighted by the round of applause he received. At the end of the pep fest when the royalty winners were announced, we were thrilled to hear announced Evan’s name. Then even more thrilling was the roar of approbation. The crowd screamed, clapped, stood and stomped and we as Evan’s parents sat and cried. Tears of gratitude for a school and community that embraces diversity and inclusion. Yes, a reason for an Armstrong Thanksgiving.

This was no fluke; a few weeks later another outpouring of kindness and acceptance occurred. . Evan has been a member of the Sophomore B-squad football team. Coach Dave Hansen and Coach Dan Enna have made it an incredible season. If you’ve ever had a son play football you know what a religion it can be. Evan is a zealous convert to the sport. He trained daily with the team in a safe environment, carefully orchestrated by the coaches. Fast-forward to the Minnetonka B-squad game. Game situation is 4^th quarter, 2^nd and goal from the 8^-yard line, Minnetonka is ahead. Armstrong calls time out. The coach runs out onto the field and has a conversation so that the refs, the Minnetonka coaches and players are all on the same page. After the time-out, Evan goes in as halfback and his number is called. The snap, the hand-off, Armstrong forms a type of wedge up the middle Evan goes high-stepping up the middle crossing the goal-line as the Minnetonka players deliberately move back. He SCORES! All celebrate as Evan runs off the field. The clock – records no change; the scoreboard - records no change; the yard markers - record no change. But a change there has been: another outpouring of graciousness and kindness by the officials, the coaches, and the players of Minnetonka and Armstrong. They gave a minute of fame and glory to a young man who loves football, and loves playing the game with “the guys” but who clearly can’t compete on the same field. Thank you to coaches who train and lead our young men and who are willing to set an example of inclusion and kindness.

Evan stands a little taller, Evan speaks a little clearer, Evan celebrates a little more. This November 25^th is for us an Armstrong Thanksgiving.

High impact high schooler

Carrie's Karnes fall 2004

Dear Wilson family,

It's been a while, but after reading a recent article on Evan in the

sun sailor I felt I wanted to write you a letter. If you don't

remember, my name is Carrie Skarnes and I attended Zachary Lane

elementary with Evan. I clearly remember being in class with Evan.

Mrs. Toms would always come into our second grade classroom and ask

Evan who he would  like to come down to her office and play games

with.frequently Evan would choose me, and ever since then, it's been

great for me to talk to him and get to know him better these past

eight years.

I really feel that the article did a good job of explaining to the

reader how active Evan is, I couldn't agree more with the fact that

the kids surrounding him don't just know him, they like him. I see

Evan in the hallways at school, and the way he carries himself is

awesome. He walks with confidence, a smile, and a look of

determination.I think because of this, the kids in our school have

truly grown a strong liking and respect for him, and almost everyone

treats in that way.

Ninth grade year I didn't see Evan much. It was a big new school and I

saw less and less of Plymouth middle school kids because everyone was

scattered around the school. This year, as a sophomore, I saw Evan for

the first time in a varsity football game. I went up to Evan, to say

"hello "and ask how he was doing. Right as I approached him and he

looked at me, and he leaned down and gave me the biggest, and one of

the best hugs and received in a long time. He put his arms around me,

and squeeze me and patted my back and my hair while saying quotes

"Carrie! Carrie! how are you?"

It was at that point, that it really stood out to me what a great,

noble person Evan had developed into. And then in the article "much

for which to give thanks", I think that one last thing should've been

added. I think that myself, and all of Evans peers should think Evan.

Because Evan is certainly different than others diagnosed with down

syndrome. Evan has taught many MANY students who have participated in

sports, classes, and other groups that no matter who you are, you can

be happy. I also believe he's taught people be more open-minded,

caring, and nurturing.

I don't really know the point of this letter, but I just and a strong

feeling after reading that article, and really felt that I wanted to

express my appreciation of Evan and your family. And I really believe

Evan is truly blessed to have a family like yours. Well that's all, I

look forward to seeing what's in store for Evan in the future. Take

care and God bless.

sincerely Carrie Skarnes

Sent from tim's phone