WORKING PARENTS. AMANDA, THANK YOU. SENIOR FOOTBALL PLAYERS IN WAUKEE ARE SAYING THANK YOU TO THE TEACHERS WHO MADE A BIG DIFFERENCE IN THEIR LIVES. OH MY GOSH. THANK YOU SO MUCH. THAT’S SO NICE OF YOU. THE PLAYERS SURPRISED THEIR FAVORITE TEACHERS WITH JERSEYS FEATURING THEIR NUMBER. IT’S A REALLY SWEET TRADITION IN THE DISTRICT. BECKETT BAKER IS THE QUARTERBACK. HIS DAD’S THE COACH OF THE TEAM. THEY STARTED THIS TRADITION AT HIS OLD SCHOOL. AND TODAY HIS SON FINALLY GOT TO PARTICIPATE. MADE A LOT OF FUN MEMORIES IN THIS CLASS. UNLIKE A LOT OF GUYS, I WASN’T HERE IN THE ELEMENTARY YEARS, SO I REALLY DON’T HAVE TOO MANY OPTIONS. BUT IT’S STILL A TOUGH PICK EVERY TIME. IT’S SUCH AN HONOR. LIKE TO BE TO BE PICKED. AND I THINK THAT HE’S A GREAT KID. I KNOW IT’S A SIMPLE GESTURE, BUT IT DOES MEAN A LOT. IT’S GOOD FOR OUR PLAYERS TO GO OUT AND AND SEE THEM, TO GO SEE THEM AGAIN, BE OUT IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS OR MIDDLE SCHOOLS. THIS IS AN AWESOME PRACTICE AND THING TO DO. TEACHERS CAN WEAR THIS JERSEYS TO TONIGHT’S GAME AGAINST WATERLOO WEST. JASON YOU JUST IT’S SO FUN TO SEE THAT TEACHER’S REACTION. SHE’S JUST ABSOLUTELY SURPRISED AND TOTALLY TOUCHED. SHE WAS SO GLOWING WHEN SHE WAS TALKING ON CAMERA THERE. SO THAT’S JUST COOL. I MEAN, KIND OF A SMALL WAY TO GIVE BACK TO SOMEBODY THAT PUT YOU, YOU KNOW, WHERE YOU ARE. WELL, AND TEACHERS EVERY DAY WORK SO HARD AND THEY HAVE NO IDEA THE IMPACT THEY MAKE ON SOMEBODY’S LIFE. AND THEN MOMENTS LIKE THAT JUST MAKE THE DIFFERENCE 100%. SHOUT OUT TO MR. BELCHER FROM MY HIGH SCHOOL FAVORITE T
Waukee football players honor teachers with jersey tradition
Senior football players in Waukee surprised their favorite teachers with jerseys featuring their numbers, continuing a heartfelt tradition started by their coach.
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Updated: 6:34 PM CDT Oct 24, 2025
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Senior football players in Waukee expressed their gratitude to teachers who have impacted their lives by surprising them with jerseys featuring their numbers, a tradition cherished in the district. Beckett Bakker, the Waukee High School quarterback, is the son of the team's coach, Gabe Bakker, who started the tradition at his previous school.This year, Beckett Bakker had the opportunity to participate in the tradition himself, gifting his jersey to his junior year English teacher."I made a lot of fun memories in this class," Beckett said. "Unlike a lot of guys, I wasn't here in the elementary years, so I really don't have too many options, but it's still a tough pick every time."Melissa Chia, Beckett's teacher, said, "It's such an honor, like, to be picked, and I think that he's a great kid. I know it's a simple gesture, but it does mean a lot."Gabe Bakker said the tradition is important. "It's good for our players to go out and see them, to go see them again, be out in elementary schools or the middle schools."Teachers can wear the jerseys to Friday night's game against Waterloo West.Chia will be there cheering on the team from the ticket booth.
WAUKEE, Iowa — Senior football players in Waukee expressed their gratitude to teachers who have impacted their lives by surprising them with jerseys featuring their numbers, a tradition cherished in the district.
Beckett Bakker, the Waukee High School quarterback, is the son of the team's coach, Gabe Bakker, who started the tradition at his previous school.
This year, Beckett Bakker had the opportunity to participate in the tradition himself, gifting his jersey to his junior year English teacher.
"I made a lot of fun memories in this class," Beckett said. "Unlike a lot of guys, I wasn't here in the elementary years, so I really don't have too many options, but it's still a tough pick every time."
Melissa Chia, Beckett's teacher, said, "It's such an honor, like, to be picked, and I think that he's a great kid. I know it's a simple gesture, but it does mean a lot."
Gabe Bakker said the tradition is important. "It's good for our players to go out and see them, to go see them again, be out in elementary schools or the middle schools."
Teachers can wear the jerseys to Friday night's game against Waterloo West.
Chia will be there cheering on the team from the ticket booth.
