One of the many joys of my job is that I get to attend a variety of community events, whether it is just to show support from the newspaper, or to actually cover and report on the activity.

On Thursday evening, I had the pleasure to sit and watch some of the best the Neosho community has to offer.

Late that afternoon, I decided it was time that I finally attend a Crowder softball game this year.

Being that it was the playoffs, and it was a near guaranteed good game, I thought spending a few innings in the stands couldn’t hurt.

Boy, was I in for a treat.

Softball at Crowder College is exciting. From the sounds of the players chanting in the dugout (I had no idea what they were saying, because I think they must speak some kind of softball language only they can understand), to the action on the field — the spirit was high. Students used toy horses on sticks in a tomahawk chomp type motion to show their school spirit. The fans let the umpire behind the plate know when they didn’t agree with a certain call. It was sports at its finest.

While the end result for the Lady Roughriders was not what they had wished for — a pair of losses and an end to their season — it sure was great to see Crowder softball ride a wave of success for the second straight season.

Hopefully, next time, I can make it to a game before the final one of the year.

Then, an hour later, I was able to attend the choir concert held by the Neosho High School vocal music department.

The choirs students from the 8th grade to the NHS Choraleers all performed in a two-hour-plus concert, and what a show it was.

These students can truly sing and dance, and they know how to entertain.

I must say, I am jealous of these students, who at such young ages, have the guts to get up on stage and sing and dance in front of the community.

When I was in junior high or high school, I would have never been able to do that.

And, well, I can’t sing all too well either, so that would have been a problem, too.

The students of Christy Clark, the director of vocal music in the Neosho R-5 School District, can sing and dance.

It was a night filled with great music, and the newspaper will publish a photo page of the concert in Sunday’s edition.

If you really think about it, our community has some great and talented students. Our FFA program is one of the state’s best, as is our speech and debate program. The drama department also puts on quality shows, and wins awards. The vocal music students seem to always gain top ratings and high honors in competitions, as does the high school marching band, jazz band and concert band. The Future Business Leaders of America students were honored this year, and the list goes on and on.

So, if it’s been awhile since you have ventured out of the house to attend a ballgame or a concert, please think about getting out and supporting our students — you won’t be sorry you did.

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Rick Rogers is the publisher of The Neosho Daily News. His “Family Matters” column publishes every Friday. E-mail him at rrogers@neoshodailynews.com.