Grand Rapids — When student-athletes kick goals, score runs and hit homers at the Ottawa Hills High School athletic fields this year, their points will light up three brand-new electronic scoreboards at the school’s baseball, soccer and softball fields.
During a recent ribbon-cutting ceremony, the district unveiled the new scoreboards, which were purchased through a partnership between the Ottawa Hills Athletic Boosters, Meijer and Consumers Credit Union.
As community members gathered to celebrate the installation of the scoreboards, student-athletes and district representatives expressed gratitude to the district’s partners for making the new additions possible.
“This is what community looks like,” GRPS Superintendent Leadrianne Roby said as she thanked the donors, stating that their investment in the district “tells our scholars that the hard work they put in on these fields truly matters.
“I can’t wait to sit in these bleachers with you and watch the goals and the runs add up on the scoreboards,” she said.
Student-athletes like junior Aracelle Chales-Jeronimo, an OHHS soccer player, also expressed their thanks.
“This means more than just an upgrade in equipment,” Aracelle said. “It rather symbolizes years of growth in our program.”
Aracelle said she’s been associated with Ottawa Hills’ athletics program for about eight years, as she had a sibling in the program before she started attending OHHS. She told SNN it means the world to her to see the program continue to develop.
“What it means to me is just seeing how this program has grown,” she said. “Just to see the pride that we’re able to showcase is something — that’s truly meaningful to me.”
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