By Ray Hamill — Bliss Blackburn has learned first hand how competing in sports can benefit young girls, and now she’s hoping to impress that on others.

As a member of the H-DN Student Athlete Advisory Council (SAAC), the Del Norte junior three-sport standout is working with Fortuna Assistant Principal/Athletic Director Kristie Christiansen to host a North Coast National Girls and Women in Sports Day.

The event will be held at College of the Redwoods on March 8 and is free of charge for girls in fifth through 12th grades.

“What they’ll get from it is a day to see and learn how positive sports can be in a girl’s life, and have fun,” Blackburn said. “There are a lot of benefits (to competing in sports), like physical health, mental health, better body image and more involvement in the community.”

Blackburn should know.

The Del Norte junior has competed in volleyball and basketball in all three years of high school and is currently preparing for her third season of high school softball, putting her on course to be a 12-letter high school athlete.

And she says she has benefitted tremendously from competing in sports, on and off the field of play.

“I’ve learned so much from sports, and that’s going to carry on through my whole life,” She said. 

Blackburn is hoping the North Coast National Girls and Women in Sports Day will help young girls here in Humboldt and Del Norte counties realize that.

“This is about how sports are about so much more than wins and losses,” she said. “I think teaching young girls the importance of sports will really impact their lives.”

Blackburn got the idea while working towards her girls scout gold award.

“I started brainstorming with Mrs. Christiansen and that’s how the idea came about,” she said.

The event will run from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and will include guest speakers, current topics, games and prizes and a free lunch and free sweatshirt for all participants.

Ray Hamill/HumboldtSports.com – Bliss Blackburn (8) is a three-sport athlete at Del Norte but says volleyball is her favorite and that she’s considering playing the sport in college after graduation next year.

Blackburn is looking to get the word out and has been busy going around to the middle schools in Del Norte to let them know.

“I’ve found out that people are very supportive in helping an event like this,” she said.

Several local businesses are supporting the event including the Duncan family and Red Sky Roofing, Seafront Bakery, Fog Bank Clothing and Soroptimist International of Del Norte, as well as “all the people who have bought Girl Scout Cookies from me for the last 12 years,” Blackburn added.

The other members of SACC, which is made up of two student athletes from each of the H-DNL schools, one boy and one girl and usually a junior and a senior, are also helping get the word out in their towns.

“We’re going to have a keynote speaker and hopefully she can inspire young girls and older girls,” Blackburn added. “(The event will feature) women coaches, women refs, assistant coaches and role models for girls to ask questions and some prizes and activities focusing on current topics in sports.”

Any student athletes interested in participating can scan the QR code above for registration.

And parents of the student athletes are also welcome to participate.

“It’s a great opportunity for young student-athletes to join together and we would also encourage parents of the student-athletes to join as well,” Christiansen said.

Registration ends on Feb. 28.