The power of teamwork

||| FROM LINDSAY JENNINGS for ORCAS ISLAND COMMUNITY FOUNDATION |||

There is something truly special that happens when people come together with a shared purpose. It doesn’t matter whether it’s organizing a community fundraiser, planting native trees, creating a musical performance, or cheering in the bleachers at the high school gym. When we work as a team, remarkable things happen.

Teamwork is one of the most powerful forces we have. Teams lift people up, draw out strengths that individuals never knew they had, and create bonds that last far beyond any single project or season. Teams celebrate victories together, which make the wins sweeter, and face challenges together, which make the hard times more bearable. On a small island like ours, that spirit of collective effort is woven into nearly everything that makes this community thrive.

Perhaps nowhere is the lesson of teamwork learned more naturally than in youth sports. These are lessons that shape the kind of neighbors, colleagues, and community members our young people will become.

With that in mind, we want to take a moment to celebrate the Orcas Island High School Girls Basketball Team, as they head into the regional playoffs for the State Tournament this weekend!

This great achievement didn’t happen by accident. It happened because of months of practice, players who encouraged each other through tough losses and close wins, inspiring, dedicated coaches, and because of families and fans who showed up. To our Lady Vikings: win or lose, you have already made this island incredibly proud.

Want to see more teams in action? Check out the cast of Grease, which is opening this weekend at the Orcas Center, register your kiddo for a parks and recs team, or join a team yourself by volunteering with one of our many nonprofit organizations.

Here’s to cheering on everything that teamwork represents: perseverance, unity, and the belief that together, we are always stronger.