Employing one of the more recent recruiting tools for targeting youth, the MSU-Northern Skylights hosted its first-ever Field Trip Game on Friday, November 15. Head Coach of the MSU-N women's basketball team, Chris Mouat invited all of the elementary students from Havre and surrounding areas to attend this 1:00 p.m. game.

Participating in the event, fourth and fifth graders from Meadowlark Elementary School cheered on the Skylights as they beat the Corban University Warriors, a Number 14 ranked Division II team from Salem, Oregon.

According to fifth grade teacher, Mrs. Lesa MacLeod, the students had an excellent time at the MSU-Northern Skylights basketball game. "With the Field Trip Game, students had the chance to be exposed to college athletics and to support our local university. The students were very excited about the opportunity to attend."

Upon entering Armory Gymnasium, fourth and fifth graders from Chinook, Havre, and other local schools were given a water and a small cup of popcorn and were escorted to seats on the north side of the gym where hundreds of students filled the entire balcony.

"The atmosphere was electric," MacLeod said. "During time outs as music filled the air, MSU-N student volunteers threw t-shirts, sunglasses, cups, and other memorabilia into the crowd for the grade school students to collect. Catching an item was a highlight for many of the fourth and fifth graders. The Skylights won the game and the kids remained excited and entertained throughout the event. All and all, I'd say the field trip was a success."

The Skylights held Corban to 43 points, as Northern scored 69. In the first quarter, the Skylights outscored Corban 22-8. By half time, the Skylights were still up, 38-19. Northern had a steady lead the rest of the game.

In individual stats, three Skylights were in double figures for the afternoon. The Skylights were led by Kenya Lorton, who scored 17 points. Going 7 of 11 from the field, Lorton also had four steals. Peyton Kehr added 14 points, and McKenzie Gunter scored 10 points and four assists. Another noteworthy player, Hailey Nicholson tallied eight points, four assists, and five rebounds.

As a team, the Skylights shot a field goal percentage of 44.8, 25 percent from the arc, and 81.3 percent from the free throw mark.

In contrast, the Warriors shot 28.7 percentage from the field, 20 percent from three-point land, and 70.6 percent from the free throw line. The cumulative field goal percentage designated a season low for the Navy and Gold unit. A further complication was the fact that Corban had 24 giveaways in the contest. The Skylights capitalized off of these turnovers to score 25 points. Corban did, however, out rebound Northern, 33-29.

With this win, the Skylights are 4-0 in the overall season. And after hosting roughly 700-800 future Lights and Skylights, MSUN considered the event a win on that front as well. Using the Field Trip Friday Game, MSU-Northern-in partnership with area schools-is encouraging young people to focus on the future, one that may involve college.

Resources from the Commission on Independent Colleges and Universities claim that middle school is definitely not too early to start thinking about college. Doing well in middle school classes provides a strong foundation for the high school courses that students will need to take to be prepared for college. And the sooner students and their families learn about and start saving for college, the more choices they will have later.

Similarly, researchers for the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) have found that middle school lays important foundations for higher education. According to the NACAC, parental expectations have a huge influence on what children expect of themselves. Parents can help their children envision their futures at a time when the social anxieties and opportunities of middle school loom larger than life after high school. This doesn't mean having an "I expect you to go to Harvard" conversation. But encouraging a child to dream about an exciting future, one which may include college, is certainly appropriate.

In fact, the NACAC suggests that middle school is a time to support children in seeking solid challenges and with shaping good study habits. They also recommend, that if a college is nearby, to plan a short day trip-not to apply, but to build positive feelings and hopes for the future.

Acting on these recommendations, Meadowlark Elementary School Principal Shane Bartschi accepted Mouat's invitation and approved the travel funds so that Meadowlark students could attend the Field Trip Game.