Being able to give back to the program where it all started ...

Waukon High School 2014 graduates Parker Hesse and Marcus Weymiller provided a “full circle” moment when they recently made the decision to designate proceeds from the sale of t-shirts (worn and displayed at far left in the above photo) by the Waukon High School Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) chapter in honor of the former Waukon football teammates’ September 15 collegiate match-up in their final seasons with the Iowa Hawkeye and UNI Panther football teams, respectively. The two were tasked by Waukon High School FBLA Advisor Joan Schwartz with the decision of where the $2,000 raised by the sale of 378 of the t-shirts would be donated, with the two deciding upon the Waukon Youth Sports Foundation (YSF) football program, the tackle football program offered for fifth and sixth grade students in the Allamakee Community School District. Both Hesse and Weymiller were fifth grade members of the very first YSF football team in Waukon when the program was established in 2006, and ironically, that was likely the only other time they competed against one another on the tackle football field prior to this past season’s September 15 match-up at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City. Pictured above at the donation presentation are Waukon High School junior and FBLA Chapter President Alyx Ede, Marcus Weymiller, Waukon YSF Coordinator Stefanie Perkins, Parker Hesse, and Tyler Halverson of EpicWear, who printed the t-shirts.

“We chose YSF because football and youth sports have had such a positive impact on our lives and we want any kid from the Waukon area to have a chance to get involved with YSF,” Weymiller shared. “We hope this contribution lowers the cost of participation so truly all kids have a chance to play YSF football.” Perkins says the donation will help lower the YSF registration fee to approximately $75 for each player.

“Marcus and I chose to donate to YSF because it is something we are both passionate about, and it can benefit kids in the community,” Hesse remarked. “YSF football was a tremendous experience for me as a kid and we would like everyone growing up in Waukon to have that same opportunity.”

“We appreciate the opportunity to work with Marcus and Parker on this project,” Ede stated. “As past FBLA members, athletes and students at Waukon High School, they continue to provide an excellent example of positive leadership and role models.” Submitted photo.