Linton High School Principal Michael Schirado, students Callie Hase and Logan Barnes, Instructor Kathryn Bohle, Superintendent & Athletic Director Paul Keeney, Unison Bank President & CEO Kelly Rachel, Unison Bank SVP Market Manager Greg Bosch, Unison Operations Manager & Loan Support Lisa Ptacek.
By Ally Knudtson
LINTON, N.D. (Unison) – Throughout the novel coronavirus pandemic, Linton Public School has shown its strength and resilience.
Not only did they manage to win two state titles, reach the region championships, have student-athletes make it to the state wrestling tournament and qualify for the North Dakota State Track and Field meet, but they also finished as a regional runner-up with their Acalympics team and sent students to State Speech while providing high-quality, in-person education.
Today, Linton Public School continues to show its strength and resilience – this time by planning and implementing a large renovation and upgrade to its current track and field facility. Track and Field is one of the highest participation sports for Linton Public School with nearly equal participation from their athletic co-op partners, Hazelton, Moffit and Braddock schools (Linton-HMB).
“Ambitious goals and big dreams become realities for the students we serve when partners like Unison Bank join in our effort to create positive change at Linton Public School. We are extremely grateful for Unison Bank’s support of the Linton School District,” said Linton Public School Superintendent & Athletic Director, Paul Keeney.
To accomplish this project, Keeney reached out to local businesses to find support – one of which was Unison Bank, with North Dakota locations in Linton, Wishek and Jamestown.
On behalf of Unison Bank, a $10,000 donation will be contributed towards the Linton-HMB track and field upgrade.
Unison Bank President & CEO, Kelly Rachel, shared, “Co-curricular activities are a very important part of a student’s education. We’re pleased to be able to support that vision by supporting this track and facility upgrade.”
Since 1965, Unison Bank has been proud of its community bank heritage and the areas they serve. “We’ve been blessed and therefore are honored to give back and support our community,” said Rachel.
Unison Bank believes it is vital to their customers and communities to reinvest in their futures. Therefore, each year they invest in the communities they are a part of through financial donations, employee volunteer hours and community involvement.
As part of a separate contest through Bank of North Dakota (BND), Unison Bank was recognized as one of the five recipients of the “Thank Your Bank or Credit Union Month” giveaway. BND initiated the campaign to thank local banks and credit unions for their tireless work during the pandemic.
Unison Bank customer, Deb Lee, of Jamestown, N.D., wrote the following contest submission to express her gratitude for the organization. “I appreciate Unison Bank because they know people’s names and anticipate their needs. Their banking hours are consumer-friendly,” wrote Lee. “Unison exemplifies what it means to be a hometown bank!”
As a recipient, Unison Bank was able to designate the $5,000 community gift from BND to be contributed to the Linton-HMB track and field upgrade. Unison Bank generously matched the $5,000 gift for an overall gift of $10,000.
The donation will help fund an all-weather rubber track surface over the current six-lane asphalt track, as well as a 50-foot by 50-foot concrete pad poured behind the west endzone and an all-weather track surface installed on top to create a new high jump area for meets.
“This facility upgrade will not only benefit the student-athletes for years to come, but also the many people in the community that also utilize the track for various forms of exercise,” said Unison Bank SVP Market Manager, Greg Bosch, in reference to the community benefit for residents who enjoy the space after school hours.
Keeney shared that the upgrade would include all-weather track surfaces for the long-jump and triple-jump runways, as well as the installation of a new discus safety cage and improvements to the shot-put event area.
“Thank you so much for your generous donations to help improve our track and field complex,” shared Linton Public School Senior, Callie Hase. Hase was a 2020 State Track Meet 1600 Meter Relay participant, 800 Meter Relay participant and fifth-place finisher in the javelin. “We are excited to safely host meets with a reduced risk of injury. Thank you for your contribution in improving the health and quality of not only our athletes, but our community as well.”
For more information about Unison Bank, their community involvement or career opportunities, visit www.unisonbank.com or call (701) 254-4453.
To learn more about the “Thank Your Bank or Credit Union Month” contest by BND, please visit https://bnd.nd.gov/mycommunity/.