Spirit! Ya ya we got spirit! Ya ya, we got what-what-what-what-what-what-what-what spirit!
You often hear this cheer from our very own Tiger cheerleaders at different sporting events. They do this cheer to pump up the student section.
But what about the student section? Have you ever been to a game, and while you were there, did you see a bunch of crazy looking students?
Every game has its own theme. Some being more out there than others, past themes include the traditional black out, elder night, and even future job night.
A special group has just been formed at Hastings High, going by the name “Tiger Ambush,” to help set themes from the different activities.
Activities Director Tracy Douglas explained how this plan came into action.
“A few years back we had a spirit council. I wanted to bring it back. A couple of friends of mine that are administrators in Norfolk and Grand Island head similar types of groups in their schools. I loved the idea, so I brought the group together,” Douglas said.
Students were on board when she offered the idea.
“I talked with [seniors] Cassi Karr and Laura McCarthy before school had started about the idea, and they loved it,” Douglas said.
Tiger Ambush currently has 12 members, representing every grade at the high school, and the members also represent a number of different activities.
“Cassi, Laura and I (Douglas) met and talked about students who show good sportsmanship, enthusiasm and would enjoy being a part of the group,” Douglas said.
One of the members is sophomore Murphy Glen.
“The main goal of Tiger Ambush is to get the students of HHS to show more school spirit. We want to encourage students to go to other school activities as well as sporting events,” Glen said.
Their job doesn’t just include encouraging students to attend these activities.
“We decide on themes for games and come up with new things for the students to try,” Glen said.
Tiger Ambush has come up with a bunch of great ideas after only two meetings. One of those ideas includes a special “throne” at indoor sporting events, and a free pizza. Douglas wants to add events that will promote attendance at the games.
“To help increase the number of students going to games, we will have an orange leather couch at the home indoor games for the rest of the year, this being known as the ‘Tigers Den.’ Students who come to the games will get a ticket. Before the game starts we will draw a ticket. The winner will get to sit on the couch with two of their friends and eat a free pizza,” Douglas said.
This fun-filled idea starts September 23, as the Tiger volleyball team holds a triangular.
Tiger Ambush meetings are held every other Wednesday after school for about 45 minutes to an hour. At their meetings, the group discusses pep rallies, football tailgates, and many other ideas. Tiger Ambush is also planning on going to a sportsmanship summit in November.
Hastings High has had a problem in the past with school spirit. Douglas hopes Tiger Ambush promotes change at the many student activities this year.
