We Love Our Team!
Each year at this time we love to take the opportunity to express our appreciation and gratitude for you our team. We can’t think of a finer group of people we could be associated with than all of you! We are proud of the way you ‘represent’ family, community and Wolf Pack Basketball for EHS.
This past summer our family traveled to Vancouver Island British Columbia. We were taken with what they call “First Nation” art. First Nation is what the Canadians call their ‘Native Americans’. They have a unique way of carving or painting nature and animals and each have a deep and rich meaning to them. Above you can see the artist Tamara Rain Bull’s ‘Wolf’ etched in mother of pearl. We learned that to the First Nation the ‘Wolf’ represents 5 things. The Spirit of the Hunter, intelligence, family, loyalty and leadership. All very fitting descriptions of what we see in all of you. We see how hard you work, all you give of yourselves to be better, we see how you interact and treat each other. We see how you compete to get the best out of each other and to be better as a team.
As many of you know one of our hero’s and role models is John Wooden, former coach of UCLA. He passed away at age 99 in 2010. On the back of this year’s letter we will include various favorite quotes and His pyramid of success. We hope you will study and ponder them and digest these as you are working to be all that you can be. Especially consider Wooden’s definition of success.
"Success is peace of mind which is a direct result of self-satisfaction in knowing you did your best to become the best you are capable of becoming.” -John Wooden-
Lastly we want to share an impression that has stuck with us this past year. Not quite a year ago the people of Japan experienced a tremendous earthquake and an impending tsunami of epic proportions. Many of you may remember the very graphic video of the homes, buildings, airports, planes, cars, boats and trains that looked literally like toys in the water and mud that were picked up, thrown and engulfed. It was hard to realize the human life that was within all that we saw. The landscape of the country has been changed forever. Beyond this indescribable devastation the impression that remains is the response of the people. The respect, consideration, loyalty and humanity that was shown is an example we hope we never forget.
Two stories from the aftermath. First, the story of the man who ran into a grocery store looking for bottled water to have safe water, which had become scarce. When he found the water there was only a 6 pack left on the shelf. He grabbed it. Half way to the register to pay, (there was no looting} he realized that if he took all six there we be nothing left for anyone else. He turned around and placed 4 bottles back on the shelf and took only two for himself. Second, the picture of young men carrying their elderly on there backs to get them to higher ground and safety. They showed compassion, honor and respect no matter how difficult the circumstances.
How grateful we are for the tremendous example we were shown. We are grateful for your examples and your willingness to give your very best and be the best you can be. You are a tremendous ‘Band of Brothers’. We have learned in this life there are no coincidences and all in our path and all we experience creates the whole of who we are and what we become. We are grateful our path’s are aligned at this time. We value the time and effort we give together!
You are family to us! We love you! We pray for you! We are proud of you! We also at this time of year want to express our gratitude for our Savior and a loving Father in Heaven. Although it is not ‘politically correct’ to do so in this day and age, we want you to know where we stand. We know that there is no struggle, no hurt or pain, no joy, or question that we cannot take to him and find the answers, the peace, the strength or relief to or from.
We want you to know that you are important to Him and to us. You may think us ‘cheesy’ but we don’t care.
We love you and we want you to know it!!
We look forward to the continuation of this season and the success we will find individually and as a team. We look forward to the continuation of our association with you not just for a season but forever.
Happy Christmas and a Bright New Year!
The Shurtliff’s
Coach Shurtliff, Mama Stacie, Jo B Jr., Ellie Maxine and Sofie
The Prisbreys opened their home and showed us great hospitality and fun. We Thank you sooo much. This tree Justin cut down with his mom Kim.
The first to join the Polar Bear Club...
Out faster than they got in I tell you!
Wow! What a beenie!!
Logan holds in his hands a piece of history and national treasure....
Santa was thee coolest and came in a cool ride and had the coolest elf!
Santa couldn't find his suit!
Santa is real he gave Brett 5 more fouls for Christmas!
Here are some Pics of the team and Santa
Captains Brett and Parker with Santa's 1935 ford truck sleigh
More join the club......
Last to join is Justin. His sister had just been heard to say that Justin would never jump in, he has too much common sense!
So much for common sense! Merry Christmas!
