Action at Monday night’s School Board meeting was short and routine, mostly involving approval of minutes and reports from committee sessions a week earlier, as some members anticipated activities that would be taking place an hour later 12 miles up the road at Dodson High School.

For the first time in over 20 years, the school’s gym would be the scene of an FFA fundraising Donkey Basketball game with real donkeys and real riders.  Board member Lance Underwood was already taking barbs from fellow boardsmen prior to the meeting’s 5:30 p.m. start who said they’d heard he would be riding a donkey.

Underwood deflected the remarks by noting there was a weight limit on riders.  “I’m a bit too fluffy to qualify.”  The Underwood riders were in fact FFA president Nathan as well as Olivia.

Supt. Al Simmons closed the business session with his observation that Winn is progressing into the Spring Session, adding he anticipated seeing board members at the Dodson event shortly after the closing gavel.

The Dodson gym was described as a “packed house,” with close to 550 in the stands (capacity 640).  Add to that number the participants and crew on the floor.  “This game pulled folks from all over,” exclaimed an exuberant Principal Wendy Miller.  “Here, Alexandria, Shreveport, Farmerville, Monroe.  There were students, families, faculty, staff, central office, board members.”

FFA sponsor Austin Stevenson declared, “This is the best, clean family-oriented event that Dodson has seen in years.  All of the proceeds will benefit our kids through FFA, their education and well-being.”

Miller said she was thrilled to see the smiles and laughter on everyone’s faces brought on through this nonsensical performance.  “Kids were on the sidelines, lying down with their chins propped up on their hands.  During the halftime intermission, the younger children were given the opportunity of free donkey rides.  We were happy to see it all.”