A beacon of hope at Dodge County schools

During these dark days, everyone could use a symbol of hope and solidarity in their lives and high schools across the nation, including Dodge County, are providing that by turning their stadium lights on at night. 
It’s all part of the Be The Light campaign, which spread on social media after John Millea from the Minnesota State High School League sent a tweet challenging schools to model what’s been done across the country.
“John put out the challenge and by the end of the day there were schools across our state jumping aboard,” said Triton Activities Director Shane VanBeek.
Once he heard about the challenge and why it was being done, he knew Triton had to also jump aboard.
“These are unprecedented times and as a school we wanted to show support for our students and community. We see the turning of the lights on as a sign of hope and recognition that we are in this together,” he said.
Kasson-Mantorville AD Broc Threinen also joined the trend because he wants K-M students to know they have the school’s support.
“[It’s] something for our kids and community to witness and know we are thinking of them, that we truly care about them and we wish them health and safety,” he said.
Meanwhile, VanBeek hopes the lights remind students of the light at the end of the tunnel.
“When the lights go on, I hope that our students know that we will get through this and we will be able get together again,” he said.
In addition to students, he said this symbol of hope is also important for the community.
“Schools are a vital part of any community, and that is showing throughout this pandemic. Our "normal" has been flipped upside down, but we will get back to school and events as soon as we can,” he said.
            With no school and events for now, Threinen said the stadium lights will help unite the K-M community.
“It gives people something to rally around,” he said.
That sense of community is also missed by VanBeek.
“We miss the daily face-to-face interactions, we miss the energy of events, and we are doing everything we can to support [them] throughout this,” he said.
Both K-M and Triton will turn on their football field lights from 8 to 8:20 p.m. each Monday night.