American dream in good hands

For the last several months, Wasilla High School has been under the national spotlight thanks to its most noted alum, Alaska governor and former candidate for U.S. vice president, Sarah Palin.

Throughout her political career, Governor Palin has maintained that her time as a member of the Wasilla High School girls basketball program greatly influenced her future success.

Even though Palin is regarded by many to be Wasilla High’s most famous graduate, the leader of the 49th state is not the only one to leave the Mat-Su Valley high school destined for great things.

On Monday, with the flick of a pen, another Wasilla basketball player — who coincidentally wears the same jersey number, 22, as Palin did during her days at WHS — also made some history.

Wasilla senior Jenna Johnson signed a National Letter of Intent to play women’s college basketball at Utah State University and became just the second female to earn an opportunity to play at the Division I level. In the fall, Johnson will become the third Wasilla High School basketball player overall to take the Division I basketball court, joining former Wasilla standouts Chandice Cronk and Ray Shafer.

But that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Wasilla can also boast recent Division I athletes in sports such as diving, wrestling and volleyball.

And that’s just Division I.

Each year, a number of Wasilla athletes earn the chance to participate in college athletics at levels ranging from junior college to NAIA to NCAA Division I and Division II.

And that is just Wasilla High School.

There are now dozens of collegiate athletes in numerous sports who got their start on the field, court, diamond or rinks of the Mat-Su Valley. Scattered across college rosters throughout the country are graduates of Colony, Houston, Palmer, Susitna Valley and Wasilla high schools.

And each of those college student-athletes, much like Governor Palin, used their experience in high school sports to create opportunities for themselves. Signing a National Letter of Intent does not just give our local athletes a chance to compete at the college level, but it ensures them the opportunity to gain a college education.

Not only has high school basketball given Johnson the chance to play at the college level, but thanks to her efforts, she has received a full scholarship to attend Utah State University, where she plays to study elementary education.

High school athletics do more for our youth that provide an outlet for recreation. These sports programs also give our local student-athletes opportunities to better themselves and their futures.

They are our future doctors, educators, economic planners — and, yes, perhaps even our future mayors, governors or presidents. It’s not often a school the size of Wasilla High in an area as geographically removed from the Lower 48 attracts the roving eyes of Division I scouts. What Palin has shown is those with exceptional talents, like Johnson, can pursue and achieve their highest aspirations.

Congratulations and good luck to Johnson and all the other Valley high schoolers engaged in this pursuit.