2020 Senior Spotlight: Purno Sangma

By Andy Brown
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Updated: May 27, 2020

Louisburg Sports Zone will be running senior spotlights through April and May everyday (Monday through Friday) in an effort to honor seniors who had their seasons taken away due to the spread of COVID-19.

As a foreign exchange student from Bangladesh, Purno Sangma wanted to absorb everything he could at Louisburg High School.

One of those things happened to be running.

Sangma joined the cross country team last fall and was excited to see what he could do on the track team this season, along with what the experience would be like.

“I’ve always loved running, so I was really looking forward to the short distance sprint events in track because I’m more comfortable doing them,” Sangma said. “I’ve been running my whole life – not in a sports related way – but in general just to have fun and clear my mind. Sometimes I run when I’m in a hurry and late for school.”

Being from a different country can be nerve-racking enough, but it is quite another when a pandemic is going on around you. The spread of COVID-19 not only cancelled the track season, but also his final two months of high school.

Sangma has had to put some of those friendships and experiences on hold for now as the country tries to figure out what to do next.

“I was really sad and frustrated that the school and the season were cancelled,” Sangma said. “I have a few good friends in the track team and I wanted to do the season with all of them. I was really sad to miss prom and not being able to complete my classes. I’ve been trying to keep a positive idea about everything that has happened.

“I have been in contact with my family back home on a weekly basis, but they’re not concerned about me that much because Louisburg is a pretty small town.”

Although it hasn’t necessarily been in the sports arena, Sangma has left his mark at LHS, especially in the music department. He has been a member of the choir and also earned a spot in the musical last year.

Not only that, but Sangma could many times be found performing the national anthem before different sporting events throughout the year.

“I actually loved being able to sing the national anthem of the United States of America,” Sangma said. “It’s actually a great privilege given to me as a foreign exchange student to be able to sing it. It wasn’t actually difficult for me. I looked forward to all the days I got to sing the anthem.”

Even with all chaos of the last two months, Sangma has relished his time in Louisburg and he is looking forward to what lies ahead.

“I have loved every second I’ve spent here as a foreign exchange student,” Sangma said. “I met amazing teachers and made really good friends. Everything that I’ve done in my exchange year I won’t take it back.”

Other than track, Louisburg Sports Zone also had a chance to catch up with Purno on how he has been coping with an early end to his senior year and some of his other interests. Here are his responses from the rest of our Q&A.

LSZ: What have you been missing the most during this time away from everyone?

PS: I miss my friends from school, my classes – choir especially – and the teachers a lot.

LSZ: What is your most memorable moment as an athlete or in school, and why?

PS: I think the times I spent in cross country. Cross country was hard, but it was really rewarding. I had the best time with my teammates and coach (John) Reece.

LSZ: What is your favorite activity/hobby outside of sports and why?

PS: I love being involved in music activities.

LSZ: What are your plans for after graduation?

PS: After graduation, I’ll be working to go to college at Johnson County Community College and then to KU, hopefully.

LSZ: What accomplishments that don’t involve athletics are you most proud of and why?

PS: That has to be doing the musical last year. I never knew I could do the musical.

LSZ: What do you think would be something that a lot of people don’t know about you?

PS: I like taking risks with people.