This is the second year of the Tigerton High School Spirit Club, which involves grades 9-12 and occasionally grades 6-8. It was started last school year by special education assistant Wanda Tucker and library assistant Debby Griepentrog.
“We wanted to get some spirit back,” Griepentrog said.
There are 20 active members of the club. Its mission is promoting school spirit and goodwill in the school, along with involving the community.
“This is my first time doing Spirit Club, but it is a lot of fun,“ THS senior Lexy Krueger said. “I love knowing that there is something I can do to help. The kids seem to love it too and it’s a good way to include the whole community.“
The two women put their heads together in the summer of 2013 and came up with the name.
“It covers not only athletes, but also anything to do with the school,” Griepentrog said. “We wanted to instill pride in the community.”
One of the things the club did was have a caring tree. Kids bought hearts for a special someone in February and in memory of someone in October. The hearts were put in a window to make a bigger heart.
The students can purchase locker decorations for their friends’ birthdays and holidays. The day before Thanksgiving break, they made log cabins, participated in trivia games, had a pie eating contest and did turkey calling.
“It was just a good time,” Griepentrog said.
They have donated to youth basketball shirts, provided child care at rural school community meetings, helped with graduation greeting and decorating, sold T-shirts for Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and helped honor participants of forensics, music and sports.
“Spirit Club is a great organization that allows us to volunteer around town and promote school pride,” senior Katie Watters said.
Last year, the club held a winter carnival dance that was semi-formal. A disc jockey was hired, and the kids were taught the polka and waltz.
“We wanted to break through that ‘We really don’t care’ attitude,’” Griepentrog said. “We’re trying to give them the opportunity to have memories.”
On Veterans Day, the students wore patriotic colors, greeted the veterans with carnations, and the middle school students had a meal with them.
There are no officers in the club.
“Everybody is very respectful and willing to help,” Griepentrog said.
They all have input as to what they would like to do.
“Our goal as a Spirit Club is to raise money to better our school, get people involved and make these four years more enjoyable for everyone here,” senior Caitlin Selle said.
The club is always looking for suggestions and ideas. For information, call Griepentrog at 715-535-4015.
Categories
