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Donna on the Side
by Donna Dye
Donna on the Side at Simplot
Part 1 - Introduction, Winners Table, Faces
Part 2 - Sprints
Part 3 - Relays
Part 4 - Distance
Part 5 - Field
Part 6 - Ceremonies, DyeStat Graduates, and Potpourri
The Ceremonies
Congratulations from Iraq and ESPN
ESPN Sportscaster, Merrill Hoge--A graduate of Idaho State and running back with the
Pittsburgh Steelers from 1987-1993 sent congratulations and well wishes . |
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Six members of the Idaho National Guard who once participated in the Simplot Games and
are now serving in Iraq sent video congratulations to the 2005 participants. |
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The opening ceremonies with the flags and national anthems and voices from Iraq moved those in the audience and reminded all of the sacrifices of those serving in Iraq and all those at home.
The voices from Iraq was the brainchild of Meet Director Greg Burch and made possible by David Hawk of the Simplot Corporate Offices. Greg felt that it would be "neat" to have messages from those now in Iraq who once participated in the Simplot Games send messages to current participants. David went to work and contacted his friend Brigadier General Alan Gayhart, Commander of the Idaho National Guard 116th Brigade Combat Team. Gayhart took the project on and produced a video of six Idaho National Guardsmen serving in Iraq who were thrilled to send messages home to motivate and congratulate current participants. |
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Jill Latimer Gets Them in Line |
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| Putting on the parade and getting the athletes organized by state is no easy task. Yet, Jill Latimer has been doing it for 14 years. There have been years when she's wondered about the value of the parade. But Olympian Dick Fosbury and Honorary Chairman of the Simplot Games gave purpose to the parade when he said that "every athlete deserves the opportunity to walk proudly for their state in the parade of states."
Jill started volunteering at the Simplot Games 16 years ago. Two years into it, she was drafted to do the parade and she's been doing it ever since. Jill has the help of the Boy Scouts and the Civitan Clubs of three area high schools. The Boy Scouts provide all of the state flags and participate in the flag presentation while the Civitan Clubs with Debbie Chilton in the lead provide staff to organize the athletes into groups under signs and state flags and a host of other tasks.
Jill takes great pride in her work and strives for perfection and a meet done right. Working with her partners, the Boy Scouts and the Civitan Clubs, Jill produces a parade full of class and style. |
Getting the parade off the ground--rounding up the athletes and states.....
DyeStat Grads Move Up to Olympic Level
Once DyeStat featured athletes, Jeremy Wariner and Allyson Felix are now Olympians.
So close in age to the current high school athletes, they easily connect and excite making the olympian dream seem real. Their participation made it a special day at the Simplot Games |
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| As if training for the pros and olympics isn't enough, Allyson also maintains a regular student schedule at Southern Cal and travels about the country making appearances at meets and other functions. |
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Allyson with her Mom Marleana. |
Posing for this photo, Alysson and Jeremy thrill the athletes. |
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Potpourri
| Simplot Games Media Man, Jason Bohne poses with his daughter Melissa and her friend Katelyn Barnum. Off from school for a long weekend, Melissa and Katelyn were helping out at the Games. While they helped out at the track, their hearts are with their softball game which Jason coaches when not at the Simplot Games. |
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| More PR Workers: Amanda Meixel (l) and Mikkel Shutes |
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| Jill Latimer, Simplot Games volunteer and athlete's parade organizer, with her two sons Stanton (l) and Nathan |
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Flat Potato for Gay
Stanton Latimer presents Gay Simplot with a "National Guard Tater" |
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The national guard flat potato is a take off from Flat Stanley from the book by the same name. According to experts on the subject, Stanley is squashed flat by a falling bulletin board. Being flat makes it easier to travel in an envelope and visit. The whole idea provides a reason for children to write and send their work by conventional mail or email to others.
Students make paper Flat Stanleys and begin a journal with him for a few days. Then Flat Stanley and the journal are sent to others while students plot where and how the mail comes and goes.
Stanton made a Flat Potato with an envelope for Gay who of course loves potatoes. |
Donna on the Side at Simplot
Part 1 - Introduction, Winners Table, Faces
Part 2 - Sprints
Part 3 - Relays
Part 4 - Distance
Part 5 - Field
Part 6 - Ceremonies, DyeStat Graduates, and Potpourri
Simplot Games index page
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