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High school tournaments, whether they be for athletics or other activities, are good for kids, families and communities. Students get a chance to compete and show their stuff, families get to partake in their kids’ activities and communities benefit from the students and families going to local restaurants, shopping and staying in local motels.
Take the recent Muilenburg Invitational wrestling tournament at La Grande High School as an example. The two-day event drew about 20 wrestling teams and 260 athletes to La Grande. Though many of the competitors were from the local area, an equal number were from outside the area. The two-day event, which turned into three days before many of the teams were able to leave due to the weather that struck that weekend,
had to be an economic shot in the arm for the community.
Just as exciting is the renewed enthusiasm for wrestling in La Grande. Coach Klel Carson is making tremendous strides to try to return La Grande wrestling to the level it was several years ago under former coach Verl Miller. Tiger wrestling was, for many years, one of the most successful programs in the state. Carson has more kids participating and winning, more parents involved and more teams wanting to take part in the Muilenburg. All bode well for Tiger wrestling.
But Muilenburg is only one example of students congregating for competition. Whether it’s a basketball tournament in Union or Wallowa, district competitions, the FBLA regional contest EOU hosts each year or the FFA state conference La Grande will host in March, these contests provide an opportunity for students to demonstrate their skills — and to shine. And they bring a substantial number of people to the area.
There’s good reason for businesses to get behind these events and to roll out the red carpet when these events occur. They make a difference for our kids and our community.
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Opinion 
