Browning Field
dedicated at Community School campus
By PETER
BOLTZ
Express Staff Writer
Saturday
was an "amazing day for the Community School," headmaster Jon
Maksik told his audience gathered around him at the school’s new Sage
Willow campus in Elkhorn.
Community
School benefactors Ed and Carol Browning Dumke were honored Saturday
for their donation of land to the school. Student Body President Sarah
Bahan said, "On this perfect morning, we would like to thank the
Dumke and Browning families." Express photo by Peter Boltz
It was
amazing not just because it was a spectacular autumn day in Sun Valley,
but because it was the day a dream came true for the school—it now has
its own soccer field, which was dedicated Saturday as Browning Field.
Ever since
it had a soccer program, the Community School has been using Atkinson Park
in Ketchum for its practices and games.
However,
about 30 acres of prime real estate were donated to the Community School
by Ed Dumke and his wife, Carol Browning Dumke, two years ago.
"Their
generosity met our needs," Maksik said. "The idea of this was
beyond my wildest imagination."
Saturday
marked the end of years of preparing Browning Field and two other soccer
fields on the property. Two restroom buildings also were erected.
Maksik said
there also was the possibility that the Community School would move its
elementary school to the Sage Willow campus. The Trail Creek campus would
serve its middle and high schools, and the administration.
The field
dedication also made for a patriotic moment and memorial for victims of
the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on the East Coast.
Boy Scouts
of Ketchum Troop 192 raised the flag while Scout Connor Wade played
"To the Colors" on his trumpet. Community School fifth-graders
then led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.
The
ceremony was crowned by freshman Carina Covella, 14, who sang "The
Star Spangled Banner."
After the
Dumkes heard thanks from the school board of trustees chair Tim Mott,
Student Body President Sarah Bahan and Maksik, the Community School soccer
players went back to trouncing their competition from Declo.
The Lady
Cutthroats won, 5-0, before the dedication, and the boys varsity won, 9-2,
after the dedication.