Where the Motion Died, But the Spirit Didn’t: What Our Girls Deserve from Their Community

They stood in front of the Board of Supervisors tonight - young, proud, and probably a little nervous.

Wearing the jerseys they earned, carrying the hope of their teammates and the pride of a district championship.

The 11/12-year-old softball girls who won their way to State - for the second year in a row - showed up to do what far too many adults forget how to do: advocate for themselves.

They didn’t ask for the moon.

No parades. No headlines.

Just help. A chance. A second to breathe a little easier while chasing a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

One board member heard them. Believed in them.

Made a motion to give them what they needed.

But the rest?

Silence.

No second. No support.

Just awkward air and lowered eyes.

The motion died on the table.

And with it, a little of my faith in the people elected to fight for our future.

Here’s the thing:

We ask our kids to rise above.

To work hard. To believe in community.

We plaster their photos online when they win and call them “our pride and joy” when the trophies come home.

But when they need us - really need us -

It can’t just be lip service and Likes.

It has to be action.

Now the girls are back to fundraising.

Again. In a short window.

With bake sales, car washes, and the kindness of neighbors and local businesses who dig deep, even when their own pockets are stretched thin.

But let me be clear:

This isn't just about softball.

It’s about showing up when it matters.

It’s about teaching young girls that their voices do matter - especially when the room goes quiet.

They may not have received government support.

And they may have walked out of that room with their heads a little lower.

But they’ll keep going.

They’ll keep fundraising.

They’ll keep fighting.

Because that kind of resilience?

It doesn’t come from politicians.

It comes from heart.

The kind of heart that takes you back-to-back to State Championships - with or without the support of local elected officials.