The Gillett School Board voted unanimously Feb. 15 to officially sanction three new clubs — the Esports Club, Powerlifting Club and the Fishing Club.
Each of these new clubs has come about in a different way, secondary principal Shawn Limberg told the board.
A group of students approached high school math teacher Jacob Norman about forming a competitive esports team after the M&O Conference discontinued the Academic Quiz Bowl last year, Limberg said.
“The esports club is kind of filling that Academic Quiz Bowl gap with students who are into gaming and competition,” Limberg said.
About a dozen Gillett students are competing in events hosted by the Wisconsin High School Esports Association, he said.
The Powerlifting Club grew out of strength and conditioning physical education classes, Limberg said. Phy ed teacher Jill Halla started last year with two students who competed in various competitions, and that number has grown this year to about 10, Limberg said.
It’s had the added effect of increasing interest in the strength and conditioning class, he said.
Gillett Fishing Club was formed last year as an extension of FFA.
“We’d like to separate that so they are two separate organizations,” Limberg said. Agriculture teacher Jacob Timm will still be the adviser for both clubs.
In response to a board question, Limberg said the esports and powerlifting club advisers would receive additional stipends for the work, funded from the vacant Quiz Bowl budget item and an assistant dance team coach position that has been vacant for a number of years.
“The interest is not there to have two coaches for a dance team organization,” he said.
The fishing club would still be part of Timm’s compensation as ag teacher.
wbluhm@newmedia-wi.com
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