Immediately following the demolition program, students and staff moved over to the WDC Elementary School for a pep fest to celebrate the volleyball team winning the state AA title on Saturday. It was an uplifting celebration for the school.
Activities Director Norm Gallant kicked off the pep fest by recognizing the demolition and the state championship.
"After watching the walls of high school gymnasium come down, here we are again gathered together to celebrate a state champion," said Gallant, whose comments brought a roar of applause.
A large banner was placed in the gymnasium that sums up the drive and determination of this year's stellar volleyball season: "Definition of a tornado: WDC volleyball takes state by storm!"
WDC head volleyball coach Sue Volkmann thanked the student body and the community for the support during what she referred to as an incredible journey that began on Aug. 16 when practice started to the state championship on Saturday, Nov. 13. But she reminded students and staff that most of the these volleyball players started their journey when they were in second and third grade, leading up to summers playing Junior Olympics volleyball.
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"That experience, along with the determination to win, I think, proved these girls wanted this state title more than anything," Volkmann said.
Fan support stretched beyond the WDC student body and the communities of Wadena, Deer Creek and Bluffton as many fans around the state cheered on the Wolverines at the state tournament.
WDC bus driver Charlie Lee was one of those dedicated fans who couldn't make it to the tournament on Saturday in St. Paul, but still listened on his transistor radio in his deer stand.
"I didn't want to miss the game, and I didn't care if the deer heard me either," laughed Lee. "I'm so happy for the team and the school."
