spirit night

as part of the weekly series on faith and its expression in our community, called prayers and processions. here's a shot and the small story from "spirit night"

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Sneakers squeak as the whisper of pom poms flutter above cheerleaders who lean into each other and giggle. Gold and green balloons bob in the corner, tethered to a tiny table plastered with pennants.

It's frenetic and formless, and energy is high for Spirit Night at Holy Trinity School in Ocean View. After a few moments the athletic director, Dan Holmes, gathers a microphone and strings it out onto the court.

It's time to pray.

Teammates tether to a line that serves as their bench, and they bow below an American flag. Their prayer softy echos into the gym.

“One of the really unique things about this program, is that you don't necessarily have to go to the school to participate in basketball” said Holmes, of Norfolk. “The basketball team is open to all members of the parish. You can send your kids to public school and still have a faith-based athletic program. That's one of the things we're really proud of.”

The school, which is in it's 85th year, combines expressions of faith along with its athletics; and on this night, their winter sports season is kicked off with the Lord's Prayer.

Moments later, the children bolt from the line and smiles split across their faces.

It's time to play.