Community Connection

This past week, Kingdom East Athletics truly hit it out of the park, celebrating our graduating 8th graders and racking up some impressive wins on the diamond!

8th Grade Send-Offs & Diamond Dominance

Tuesday was a grand slam night as we tipped our caps to our North 8th grade baseball and softball sluggers. Both teams brought their A-game, notching up W's against North Country. Not to be outdone, our 7th-grade North squads also took the field against North Country that evening, mirroring the success of their older teammates with victories of their own.

South Teams Take the Spotlight

On Wednesday, the spotlight swung to our 7th/8th South teams, who kept the tradition rolling with their own heartwarming recognition of their graduating 8th graders. These athletes are ready to round the bases and head for their next chapter! But the celebrations aren't over just yet! We'll have one final 8th-grade farewell next week, as we bid a fond adieu to our dedicated 8th-grade track athletes. Keep your eyes peeled for more information on the specific day and time – you won't want to miss it!

Continuing the Action

The athletic action didn't stop there. Our 7th-grade North baseball team stepped up to the plate against Craftsbury/Hazen on Wednesday night, putting up a strong battle against a competitive team. Friday, our 8th-grade North team will play their final game of the season at Legion Field – come out and cheer them on as they close out their season!

State Track Meet

Friday also marks the Vermont State Track Meet at the University of Vermont! We're sending a whole lineup of athletes who have qualified for this prestigious meet, kicking off at 3:00 PM. We're rooting for them and know they'll bring their absolute best to the track

To our 8th-grade players: What a season! It might have been short, but it was full of incredible moments. We saw determination, grit, and effort in every inning, even on those chilly days. You battled through it all, showing up with enthusiasm and a willingness to work hard.

Each of you brought something special to this team. You pushed yourselves, supported your teammates, and represented our schools with pride. We've watched you grow as players and young men, learning teamwork, perseverance, and sportsmanship.

As this chapter closes, a new one begins. For some, that means Babe Ruth softball, baseball, or other summer sport.. For others, it's training for fall sports. And for some, it might be a summer job or something entirely different. Whatever your next adventure, we wish you the best of luck. Embrace it with the same determination and grit you showed us this season.

We know you all will find success in high school, in whatever ventures you pursue. Whether in academics, arts, community service, or continuing your athletic career, we know you have the drive and character to achieve great things. It has been a pleasure to watch you play, to see your passion, and to witness your growth. We're proud of each of you

This past week, and throughout the entire season, Kingdom East Athletics has truly flourished, and a huge part of that success is thanks to our incredible spring coaches. We want to give a special shout-out to all of them, acknowledging their invaluable contributions. Our 8th-grade North baseball team was expertly guided by Andy Simpson, Jeremiah Bias, and Travis Corey. For 7th and 8th-grade softball, we extend our gratitude to Kevin McKeon, Erica Varsames, and Bailey Motala. The 7th/8th grade South baseball teams benefited from the leadership of Lyle Decker, Shaun Mosher, and Travis Hale. Our KESD Track coaches – Tim Kirchoff, Bonnie Kirchoff, Lisa Mason, and Kate McGinis – have been instrumental in developing our track athletes. And for lacrosse, we thank Brandon Mapes and Keara Kresser. Without this dedicated group of coaches, KESD spring athletics simply would not have been as successful. Their skills and passion for their respective sports are so evidently shown through their interactions with the players. Anyone who witnessed these coaches on the fields or track knows they do it because they genuinely love the sport and are passionate about passing down their knowledge to the next generation. We are beyond grateful for our coaches and all they do for our student-athletes. Thank you, coaches. We appreciate you.

• Sports Participation Form (to be completed by physician
• KESD Athletic Guidelines
• Resources for Parent-Athletes
• Tips for a positive parent-coach relationship