MARS HILL, Maine (WAGM) – For 80 years schools across Aroostook County get time off from their studies to help farmers harvest. Student-athletes also get time off from games which is much needed for the Central Aroostook Panthers.
“So my guys, every single one of them works. So I think they’re pretty excited to be practicing under the lights we don’t normally do that until it gets dark at five,” said boy’s soccer coach Carl Mullen, “So we avoid it when we can but this gets them a little bit excited to finish their work day and come out and play for a little bit before they go to bed and get back out in the fields.”
Working the fields has many physical and mental benefits. Many of those benefits transfer to the field.
“I think it’s definitely important to instill that work ethic especially at this age. It also teaches them that work-life balance that everyone runs into at some point in their life, it definitely brings us closer as a team,” said girl’s soccer coach Molly Kingsbury, “They’re super tired at the end of the day. When we can come together for practice it’s almost like a debrief from their hard day. I think it just brings us closer together.”
On September 25th 60% of our audience voted that they don’t believe schools need Harvest Break. Central Aroostook athletes have a different perspective.
“No it’s good to have harvest to get kids out of school and doing something different. And it’s just fun to get everybody working and then it’s good that soccer is right now at 7:30 so we can just get off work and come straight here,” said Kellen McCrum.
“I think harvest break is a good chance for kids to learn work ethic and know why we have farmers in the County and what they do for us,” said Maggie Mahan.
“I know for the farm I’m working for, McCrums, they have a lot of student workers and I think without us they wouldn’t really be able to, I wouldn’t say get anything done but they wouldn’t be able to be done as quickly and that can kind of ruin the harvest,” said Jonah Tweedie.
“Well, I come from a farm family so I would say it’s a very important part of the school year we definitely need,” said Brinleigh Kingsbury, “From a farmer’s perspective, and a student perspective it gets kids outside doing real life work.”
The Harvest break system hasn’t always been just a break in the season. Before this system was introduced Harvest Break was a stressful time.
“I think the schools and the administration have done a very good job at spacing our schedule. I can remember a time where we played our entire schedule before the break and then you were just like either not practicing because not everybody had lights or you would be constantly looking at the heal points to see if you were ok. At least now we get a schedule that’s good for all the players. If you got somebody who has a nagging injury now we can ease back into it since the games are spread out quite a bit,” said Mullen.
The games are much more spread out as the Lady Panthers play three games across fifteen days. Giving the players the time they need to help farmers harvest potatoes.
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