2021 Education magazine

Page 36 2021 Education Magazine LINCOLN DAILY NEWS February 18, 2021 Even though there were no parents in the stands and very few administrators and members of the media that night in Taylorville, there were student athletes participating on the court and that brought a new level of appreciation and excitement back to sports. “The kids are excited to be back on the court,” said Lincoln Railers Basketball Coach and LCHS Athletic Director Neil Alexander. “They have something to come to school for and work for. They are back with their friends doing the things they like to do, regardless of what sport it is they all have the opportunity to start working again and at least play some games.” Emily Paulus, a senior on the Lady Railers Basketball Team, is grateful for the opportunity to play sports again, not just for the competition, but for the camaraderie. “All of us on the team live a super-busy life,” said Paulus. “Without having sports for almost 12 months, which had never happened in our lives, so coming back, it was a great feeling to be back. Being with our team is like being with our family. It is our home away from home during the season. It was definitely nice to be back on the court. It was nice to have something to look forward to after school. At the beginning of the school year we would just sit at our desks for five hours and then go home, sad about not being able to practice while seeing all these other kids play.” It really had to be tough seeing the surrounding states allow student athletes Continued p