We are just a few short days away from the end of the month of March, which is designated as national Music in Our Schools Month and goes by the rather awkward acronym MIOSM. Why must we always have shortened versions of titles?

MIOSM was created several years ago to highlight the importance and benefits of music education during a period when many music programs were being cut and even eliminated. Music is a very easy target for cuts, which is unfortunate because it is one of the skills that nearly everyone can enjoy and do the rest of their lives.

I'm a firm believer in the power of extra-curricular activities. There are some that feel that our children are too stressed with school work and all of their activities. If that's the case, perhaps the student should not be involved in so many activities.

But athletics, speech, FFA, music, drama and all the other groups and organizations teach our children that school can be so much more than history and math. They also teach them the importance of maintaining their grades and staying out of trouble.

Perhaps the most important lesson that is taught by extra-curricular activities is the value of working together towards a common goal and that many things in life are privileges, not rights.

When I was growing up, I was involved in as many activities as I could manage. My parents used to joke that I should have a cot at school. Looking back, I wouldn't change a thing. The experiences I had made me a more rounded person and I had a great deal of legal fun.

Last week we ran a story about the importance and significant contributions of athletic and music booster clubs at Gehlen and Le Mars Community Schools. Parent volunteers work tirelessly to raise funds to supplement or as is the case with Gehlen athletics, fund the entire program.

A booster club, or any volunteer organization, is a textbook example of community stewardship. In many cases, the adults who are volunteering and sharing their money and skills were, at one time students who benefitted from the efforts of earlier volunteers. Thankfully, they feel the need to play their part to keep the programs they enjoyed as a child vibrant for their children and grandchildren.

It's a pretty cool thing when you stop to think about it.

In the decade that my family has lived here, I have had two daughters enjoy the benefits of strong music programs at every level, from elementary to middle school to high school. I feel that these programs have helped form my children into the people they are today. I'm sure parents from both schools will agree with me that there have been special coaches or teachers who have played an important role in the lives of their children and have contributed greatly to the success that these young adults are enjoying now.

Whatever you want to call this: playing your part, stepping up, continuing a tradition, paying it forward -- it's all much more important than any of us truly realize. At the time, it may seem as if buying some cookie dough or attending a tailgate is a small thing, but small things have a way of adding up to much larger things.

Friday, the LCHS Music Boosters host one of their major fundraisers for the year, a spaghetti supper followed by their annual auction. On Saturday, LCHS is hosting small group contest. These are two wonderful opportunities to get a first hand look at the benefits of music in our young people's lives and the work being done by our booster clubs.

Support these students wherever and whenever you can. Your words of encouragement can carry as much weight as financial contributions.

As always, I welcome your comments. You can reach me by email at tstangl@lemarscomm.net, telephone 712-546-7031, x40 or toll free 1-800-728-0066 x40.

Thanks for reading, I'll keep in touch. Feel free to do the same.