Businesses Partner To Recognize SPHS Senior Athletes

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Athletes at Severna Park High School have traveled a rocky road over the past 14 months. Their seasons have been cancelled (spring 2020), postponed and shortened (fall 2020), replaced with virtual only training (winter 2020-2021) and condensed (spring 2021) due to COVID-19. These interruptions and cancellations have been hardest on the senior student-athletes who will end their high school playing years with graduation this May.

To recognize the senior athletes, Chick-fil-A and Landmark Roofing have partnered to pay for yard signs at the home of each senior. The signs acknowledge the athletes who missed out on a normal season.

“We wanted to make sure they feel supported,” said Chris Schenck, owner of Severna Park Chick-fil-A. “I know the year has been disappointing to them.”

Schenck also said the high school is a big part of the community and it is important for businesses to give back.

The Falcon Athletic Boosters Club came up with the idea of yard signs after a parent approached the organization, asking if there was something that could be done to honor senior athletes. Kati Elliott, president of the Falcon Athletic Boosters Club, welcomed the suggestion as the club exists to support student-athletes and their athletic programs.

“Anything we can do to recognize these athletes and acknowledge the tough time they have had,” she said.

With approximately 175 senior student-athletes, Elliott knew the $3,000 cost of yard signs was beyond the booster club budget and would require community support. Normally, the booster club earns revenue from game concessions, scoreboard advertising fees and membership fees. The reduced sports schedule and COVID-19 restrictions have eliminated or cut all three of these sources. Larry Sells, board member of the club’s outreach committee, called upon the owners of Chick-fil-A and Landmark Roofing, both long-term sponsors of Severna Park athletics, for assistance.

“Both companies were delighted to [sponsor the senior signs],” Sells said. “They saw the value immediately and what it could mean to these kids that were shortchanged.”

Rob Calhan and Artie Hendricks, owners of Landmark Roofing in Severna Park, describe the “raw deal” COVID-19 has handed athletes and all students.

“Throughout your high school years, you can’t wait for your senior year,” Calhan said. “I can’t imagine what the kids went through.”

Calhan and Hendricks sympathize with the students. The Landmark Roofing owners recall playing soccer, football, baseball and lacrosse collectively for their alma mater, Annapolis High School.

“For us, the signs were a way to do something for the kids, to recognize the athletes and their challenging year,” Hendricks said.

Sean Foreman, a senior representing football and baseball reflected, “It’s nice to be recognized since we couldn’t have a regular season.” The resiliency demonstrated by volleyball senior Annalou Marriner provides positivity as the class of 2021 prepares to graduate.

“At the rate everything is going right now, it was a gift to have our season,” Marriner said. “I am proud to be a part of the volleyball team and to be acknowledged as a senior athlete.”

As you drive around town, take note of the signs - a SPHS athlete lives at that home, located in a compassionate and supportive community.

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