Mustang is one of the fastest-growing areas in the state of Oklahoma.

The Mustang Public School District is the fifth largest in the state and if it continues to grow at the rate it has, the district will be the third largest in five years.

The community and town of Mustang are growing as well. Perhaps not with the rapid pace of the school district, but nevertheless, the entire area of Mustang is growing from a small town to a thriving city.

That is undoubtedly the reason people from all over the state and this area of the country are moving to the Mustang area to live.

As the area and specifically the school district continue to grow and evolve into an empire, the extracurricular activities will continue to expand as well.

School activities such as athletics, band, cheer, pom, FFA, music, drama, and many more are getting bigger and bigger by the minute as the school increases in size and population.

The amount of after-school events that take place is off the charts, and for the community to be expected to come out and support their children at every afternoon or evening activity would be far too much to expect.

However, I do believe we as a community can and should do a better job of getting out to the different events to support our Broncos.

Of course, all of the parents and families and close friends will go see their son, daughter, relative or friend participate in whatever activity they enjoy, but the entire community should do the same.

These kids put in an incredible amount of work on top of going to school and getting a good education.

They wake up at hours when the sun doesn’t even think about coming up just so they can practice their craft.

Sometimes they will stay after the final bell an extra four or five hours working to be as good as they can be in their activity.

I understand everyone has busy lives and sometimes the last thing any of us want to do is go to a football game or a drama play in the evenings when we could plop on the couch and watch TV, but it means the world to these kids when they see their community supporting them the way they deserve.

Imagine coming out onto the stage or running onto the field and seeing people in the crowd other than your parents, relatives or friends. I’m not saying having your family and friends there to watch you is not important because it is.

However, when your entire community is backing you up, the drive to succeed is far greater than if they aren’t.

As Mustang continues to grow, evolve and develop, let’s not forget the true meaning of community. Let’s not forget the foundation this great town was built on.

These children are our future, and if they know they have our support as a community, they will grow and develop with confidence to take the wonderful town of Mustang to even greater heights when they are the leaders.