Why did more than 100 student athletes, coaches and administrators rake yards full of leaves on the first Saturday in November? Because it is our commitment. Because it is The Lark Way.

For 60 years Hesston College has been competing in intercollegiate athletics. Since then, sport has always been a piece of the greater whole at Hesston. The Lark is our symbol. That symbol has appeared in different forms over the years; it has changed and morphed. But, what does the Lark stand for?

Over the past few years, the athletic department has worked to put into words what the symbol means – who we are as Hesston College and how we represent the Larks. It started as with the creation of Core Values: Accountability, Joy, Engagement and Community. The most recent upgrade to the understanding what it means to be a Lark, is the idea of The Lark Way. This is a commitment as a Hesston College Athletic Department:

• We are committed to helping young people grow in their walk with Christ.
• We are committed to the pursuit of excellence.
• We are committed to developing high character servant leaders.
• We are committed to the academic development of every student athlete.

We want our coaches, athletes and those who come into contact with Hesston College to understand this commitment through the eyes of Hebrews 12:1-3:

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”

These commitments are lived out through the application of our core covenants. We want to live out our excellence, our faith and our development. We chose to serve the community, engage with others and hold each other accountable to our pursuit of this excellence through an outpouring of servant hearts. This brings others and us great joy. In a physical representation of this commitment, the Larks served the Hesston College community for five hours on Saturday. We raked leaves in approximately 35 yards all over the town. Why? Because it’s The Lark Way.