BrandonInfo.com

Nearly one-third of Brandon Valley students at Brandon Elementary, Robert Bennis Elementary and Brandon Valley Middle School are considered overweight or obese. Yet, that’s a lower percentage than the state as a whole.

Does that mean the parents and schools in Brandon are doing a good job of feeding the kids balanced diets and making sure they get exercise? Or is there still a lot of room for improvement?

Brandon Valley requires one semester of physical education for graduation. That is the minimum required by state law. Sioux Falls School District recently reduced their requirement from three semesters down to one. Is one enough? If you don’t think so, take into consideration all the extracurricular opportunities Brandon Valley students have to keep fit. There are school and league sports, open gyms, recess and other programs. Even with all these opportunities, is it enough?

Who should have the main responsibility for keeping our children fit? The school system? The parents? The children themselves?

What have you done at your house to ensure healthy eating for your family. At our house, we make sure every meal includes a vegetable. One problem is that we don’t eat many meals at home. My husband and I both take vitamin supplements. I know it would be better to get our nutrients through food, though, instead of vitamin pills. At our house, we are making some effort, but there is room for improvement.

What are your thoughts?

The Argus Leader recently printed a story about high school bowling (”Teamwork sparks surge in bowling”, Jan. 6). The South Dakota High School Bowling Association has seven teams, and Brandon Valley is one of them. How do you think the team is doing this year?

What do you think about high school kids being able to earn a letter in bowling? How does it compare to other sports?

I remember taking bowling as one of my physical education credits in college. I always enjoyed bowling.

Do you bowl?

Brandon Valley wrestlers are 1-1 so far this season, with a win over Lennox and a loss to Vermillion. But the Lynx take on Lincoln and O’Gorman on Thursday at Lincoln. How do you think they will do? Will you attend the meet?

Brandon Valley’s first home meet is the Lynx Invite on Jan. 5.

The wrestling squad is led by six seniors this year, with two of them former state place winners. So the team is strong. Coach Jeff Duncanson’s goal is to finish in the top four in the conference this year, and in the top four in the state as well. What are the Lynx’ chances of doing that?

Fans can congratulate the Brandon Valley Cheer Team Monday, Nov. 19, at 6 p.m. at the middle school. The team won first place in the first-ever state AA cheer team competition Nov. 10 in Yankton.

Five AA schools competed in this first season.

What words of congratulations and encouragement do you have for the team? Will you be attending the celebration Nov. 19?

Brandon Valley led Spearfish 35-0 at halftime in the first round of the playoffs and beat the Spartans 42-21. Looks like a second round is in the Lynx’ future.

What are your thoughts on the first round of playoffs? Did Brandon Valley’s home-field advantage contribute to their win? How do the squad’s chances look going into the second round?

Do you plan to participate in the Quarterback Club? The next meeting is Oct. 3 from 12 to 12:45 p.m. at Tailgator’s. The club will meet every other Wednesday to talk about all kinds of Brandon Valley Sports.

Do you think the Quarterback Club will end up being just a handful of super fans who want to pick apart every detail of the most recent game, or do you think it will end up as a popular community gathering that will help increase attendance at games and membership in the Brandon Valley Booster Club? Or something in between?

A story on www.brandoninfo.com says that the club will continue even after football season is over, and the club’s name may change depending on what sport is in season. What possible names does that bring to mind?

Basketball: Half Court Club? Center Club?

Wrestling: Take Down Club? Pin Club? (which might work for bowling too)

Volleyball: Ace Club? Spike Club?

Track: Hurdle Club?

Tennis: Singles Club? (sorry, couldn’t resist)

Golf: Club Club (again, sorry, couldn’t resist)

Actually, some of the so-called “minor” sports might not even get to be part of the name. Even in football, since the name is the Quarterback Club, some players will never get to be part of the club name. Unless the name were something that would encompass every sport, like the Lynx Club of something like that.

What do you think?

What do you think are Brandon Valley’s chances of getting into the state finals this season? The Lynx are 3-1 going into Friday’s game against Worthington, Minn., after shutting out the Brookings Bobcats 19-0 at Homecoming last week.

What Lynx action have you seen so far this season that has impressed you? What techniques should the Lynx work on to increase their skills?

Who do you think will be the team’s greatest condenter this season?

Let’s consider for a moment combining Brandon’s city celebration with the Pigskin Classic. Not as competing celebrations, but as partners.

Think about it. Brandon’s identity is mostly tied up with the school. The events that draw the biggest crowds in Brandon are the school events.

The Pigskin Classic can still be the Booster Club’s biggest fundraiser. Maybe Brandon Days, or Hometown Days, or whatever it will be called, could include events that blend with the Pigskin theme, or school theme, or kids theme. Maybe Brandon’s celebration could be a big back-to-school celebration.

It’s just a thought that might be worth some consideration.

The Brandon Area Soccer Association wants kids to register this year through them instead of through the Sioux Falls Soccer Association, so the BASA can get a better idea of how many Brandon-area kids are playing soccer.

That will help justify new soccer fields at McHardy Park, organizers say.

The city already has budgeted money toward fields, but the state Game, Fish and Parks Department has to approve the fields before they can be built.

Do you think soccer fields are a good idea for McHardy Park? There are some practice fields at Pioneer Park, and some games are played at Brandon Elementary. But the fields at McHardy Park would be big enough to play regular games on.

Congratulations to the Brandon Valley boys basketball team for their third-place finish in the state tournament. I know the loss to O’Gorman was disappointing, but it wasn’t caused by lack of determination, spirit or hard work by the Lynx teammates. Good work, team. We’re proud of you.

Congratulations to the Brandon Valley girls basketball team for their showing in the state tournament. To be eighth seed and finish out the season in fourth place is quite an accomplishment. Thanks for the hard work and good games, girls!

And here’s wishing the boys team much success in the upcoming tourney. Let’s go, Lynx!

How do you think the winter sports teams are shaping up this season? A reader elsewhere in this blog asks why the girls volleyball team never is a state contender. Any comments on that? Volleyball is getting to be a very competitive sport with good scholarship potential.

How about other BV sports? Post your comments, questions, congratulations or concerns here.

It’s not too late in the year to make more New Year’s Resolutions.

Brandon should resolve to get more public input on the proposed ambulance ordinance before it goes to a vote in April. (For a couple of comments on this topic, see the entry titled “Resolutions” on this blog.)

Brandon residents should resolve to do more of their business at Brandon businesses.

Brandon residents should resolve to take more advantage of things their tax money buys, things such as parks, bike trail, tennis courts, pool, ball park, fishing pier, etc. They also should go into more of the buildings their tax money has paid for such as schools and City Hall. Even if it’s just to stop in to say hi.

The Brandon Valley boys basketball team has given BV fans some great moments in recent games. The undefeated team plays against two Rapid City teams this weekend and then takes on Sioux Falls Lincoln on Tuesday. Can the boys keep up their winning streak on the road?

What are your predictions for the team? At this point, it looks like they might have a good shot at a state title. Weigh in here with your comments, predictions or good wishes.