Honoring the Senior Athletes: The Lights in Stadiums From Crescent City to Miranda Shone Tonight in Respect

South Fork High School athletic field quiet under stadium lights shining tonight in honor of all the senior athletes unable to play out their last high school year because of the Shelter-in-place rules during the COVID-19 crisis. [Photos by Crystal Salomon]

South Fork High School athletic field quiet under stadium lights shining tonight in honor of all the senior athletes unable to play out their last high school year because of the Shelter-in-Place rules during the COVID-19 crisis. [All photos by Crystal Salomon]

From Crescent City to tiny Miranda in Southern Humboldt, athletic fields across the North Coast were quietly lit tonight from 8:20 to 9 p.m. to pay tribute to the senior athletes who will never hear the crack of the bat smack the ball for the last time during their final year of high school…Lit in respect for those who won’t hear the applause of their classmates as they run a last lap. Lit in honor of those who won’t get to gather one last time with teammates they’ve played with since grade school.Flag and athletic jacket by Crystal Salomon

The lights spilled down on empty fields at high schools in Arcata, Crescent City, Eureka, Ferndale, Fortuna, McKinleyville, South Fork and possibly others.

The cleats are hung up, the bats lean against walls, the batons lay tangled in boxes, the athletic jackets are relatively unworn, an entire class of students have had their moment in the sun shadowed as the world fights an invisible enemy.

We know the loss shouldered by the senior athletes doesn’t rise to the level of the mountain of grief that weighs down those that have lost loved ones, of the canyon of fear cracking beneath those that hold empty wallets, but just for tonight, let’s remember the sunny days in fields with friends that won’t happen, let’s acknowledge that there are memories that these seniors will never make and relate at class reunions, let’s give a moment of silence for the laughter that won’t ever be shared.

Empty bleacher by Crystal Salomon

Let’s envision the light shining quietly on the empty, green fields to honor what this class of 2020 has lost.

Video below by Karl Terrell, Athletic Director for South Fork High School.

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Ruth
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Ruth
3 years ago

Beautifully written Kym💙💛

DMatcham
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DMatcham
3 years ago

I’m printing this article to put into my son’s (EHS senior baseball player) keepsake box. Thank for summarizing this situation so very beautifully.

Cathy
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Cathy
3 years ago

What an awesome tribute!! 2020 💙💛💙

Sonnyb
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Sonnyb
3 years ago

Good too be honoring these senior athlete’s. For many this will be the highlight of there life. When they are fat and bald at 40 they will still be saying remember that game in high school where i scored three touch downs. All the smart kids they teased will have long forgotten those days and gone on to successful careers. You’re high school sports victories don’t mean much in the long run.

Flat girl
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Flat girl
3 years ago
Reply to  Sonnyb

If you had left out those last 2 sentences, you might have been perceived as thoughtful rather than as an asshole☺

Go Cubs!
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3 years ago

SonnyB
Your comment is rude and inappropriate for this article. Also you know little about SouthFork athletes.
At a small school such as SouthFork Athletes are smart kids. They’ve received the NCS scholastic award for accumulative GPA the last several years. The senior athletes last year had 4.0’s almost across the board! And every athlete in my daughter’s graduating class is in College or grade school many are at out of the area top notch universties. I bet you anything most of them go on to have very successful careers. Your high school sports victories will teach you teamwork, commitment, responsibility and give you a drive to take care of your body. They will give you bonds and friendships for life. Don’t reply to this, you can’t win this one.

Martin
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Martin
3 years ago

That was a wonderful thing to do for the senior athlete’s from all the local schools. I deeply regret that they can’t finish up their playing season. I went to South Fork High school, and the photos brought back a large number of wonderful memories playing sports with my teammates. The very best of luck to all the seniors in their future.

Diane
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Diane
3 years ago

Arcata High doesn’t have a stadium – has been 40 years and $27,000,000 in bonds in the making with nothing materializing
I feel for all the seniors who’s last year in high school, last year of being a kid, ends. It was supposed to be the best year of their high school experience. Instead it’s “doom and gloom. fighting the invisible enemy”. What a way to start adulthood – living in fear

Who Cares
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Who Cares
3 years ago

Kids got robbed. The numbers do not justify the action. You never get another senor year. A very important time in many lives.

Doggo
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Doggo
3 years ago
Reply to  Who Cares

They will appreciate that their grandparents did not die from this extremely dangerous and very contagious disease though.

Senior parent
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Senior parent
3 years ago
Reply to  Doggo

The grandparents(and immunocompromised) should stay home. Let the kids have their season!!!

Linda Hurlbutt
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Linda Hurlbutt
3 years ago

Great job, Kym and Karl. Good luck and best wishes for the Seniors of 2020.