In March of 2023, the Prairie Central community suffered the tragic loss of two student athletes in a tragic sledding accident, while on spring break.  Not only were these two great athletes (both multiple sport all-state athletes) but they were role models to countless children throughout our community.  The loss has impacted children in the classroom, on the basketball courts, the football fields, and in their social lives since.  There is a huge hole in the hearts of their families, friends, and even many that live outside of our district.  Drew Fehr and Dylan Bazzell made an impact.  Weather it was at Upwards Basketball on Saturday mornings, or if it were after the numerous big wins they helped lead the Hawks too over the last four years.  They always made time for the youth of our community.  Stories of kids playing as "Dylan Bazzell" while shooting in the driveways and imitating "Drew Fehr" while playing football in the backyards need to continue on.  This connection to the youth needs to remain.  The bond among our community over the loss of these two great student-athletes needs to stick around and their "story" needs to live on forever.  These two weren't just two special athletes.  They were special human beings that were both so humble they didn't want the spotlight on themselves, but on their brothers, sisters, teammates, friends, and the youth of our community.

High school gymnasiums and football fields deserve a name.  A name that has a story behind it, of a legacy that was left.  Prairie Central's gymnasium has no name.  The football field name, you'd have to dig very hard to find out what it was named after.  That story seems be be forgotten about.  This story should not be.  The gymnasium deserves to be named after Dylan Bazzell.  The football field deserves to be named after Drew Fehr.  Both, all-state athletes in track and field, Basketball, and Football whom lost their lives before they could receive their high school diplomas.

The time to do this is now.  Our athletic programs have not had a large investment made in some time.  Surrounding schools are adding 3rd gymnasiums, turf fields, indoor practice facilities, and state of the art workout facilities.  We are just now updating a 70 year old floor and doing a repainting of our existing gym.  Some progress here would be nice.  It's time we realize that some of this carries value to people in our community as well.  It is an important part, to many, when looking at districts to raise your family in.  It plays a role in people wanting to stick around the community they were raised in and raise their future families as well.  The gym floor is currently being replaced and an archway, or some structure over where the team enters the football field could be erected prior to this football season if we act fast.  The way these two young men have impacted and inspired the next generation of "Little Hawks" is a cycle that should never be broken.  We have the opportunity to maintain something special because of the way these little kids have been treated and they will carry it forward.  This is not "just about" these two young men who are gone.  By doing small tributes such as these things, it will help that legacy live on and hopefully help instill the values that these two had.  The values that made the Hawk community so proud to call them their own.

DREW FEHR FIELD

DYLAN BAZZELL COURT

Please sign this petition and join us in support at the PC Board Meeting on 6/15/23 in the High School Library at 7:00PM.  Please enter thru door M.

Let's make it happen!

 

***UPDATE***

After being in contact with the members of the Lewis family, we are not asking for the football field to have the name changed.  We just would like to do some sort of memorial at the field, in Drew's honor.  The family is going to be kept in the loop on what ideas we may come up with.  We are just asking that the board consider options at this time.