12

I spent the day at my daughter's waterpolo tournament, and want toacknowledge and appreciate all those who make high school athleticspossible, from the coach to the volunteers to the parents and others. Here, my daughter (in the dark cap) mixes it up with a couple of girls from another team. She is learning so much about playing with heart, the meaning and lessons of competition, and yes, as the cliche goes, the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat. Today she had the privilege of playing in the first ever water pologame at a new facility at Coronado High School, a stunningly beautifulfacility that makes hers look almost shabby (and it ain't!). Here, for the first time, she faced opponents who've been playing club polo foryears, and who are already quite accomplished by the time they reach the novice and junior varsity levels. There's a lot of life lessons to be learned when playing against adversaries who are so muchmore skilled, trained, talented, or, for that matter, simply lucky tolive where they live!

Done