Between 2016 and 2019 I volunteered to create branded apparel and accessories so friends and family of our junior high cross country team, the Mossville Warriors, could proudly support their athletes. This was a rewarding project that generated much-needed revenue to purchase uniforms, bus rides, and other things to help our small public school sport thrive. I also helped their coach create an easy-to-edit Weebly website so he could communicate with the kids and parents. During those years, I served as the team’s photographer, and since my daughter was a participant, running around taking photos of the kids as they ran their hearts out was a good way to keep my own “soccer mom” enthusiasm in check.

In 2016 there were fewer than 20 athletes — by 2019 the team had grown to nearly 70 runners, due to an amazing mentoring coach the kids adored. I’d like to think the participation grew a little, too, because of the highly visible designs I created, fostering their sense of belonging and team pride. At the 2018/19 season banquet, I was honored to receive an engraved garden stone, etched with the original (and most popular) tee shirt design I created. On the back it reads:

“Thank you for your years of dedication and support to our Mossville XC team.

– Your XC Warrior Family.”

It was a privilege to get to know the students and their dedicated coaches and parents — I loved every minute of it!