Fans urged to show support for Wolverines

PAULLINA-South O'Brien High School wants to pay homage to its spring sports.

To do so, it will host its annual Pride Week, Monday-Friday, May 4-8.

"It's very similar to what people do for Homecoming Week in the fall," said guidance counselor Connie Flynn. "We do it again in the spring to recognize the spring sports."

The week will kick off at 4:30 p.m. Monday, when the South O'Brien girls and boys golf teams host Sergeant Bluff-Luton at Primghar Golf & Country Club.

Be sure to arrive early, though.

The first 100 fans will receive a free Wolverine water bottle.

Paying tribute to the boys and girls track teams, the school will host a "Pack the Track," starting at 5 p.m. Friday, May 8 at the Wolverine Relays that South O'Brien hosts at Cherokee High School.

Again, the first 100 fans will be rewarded free water bottles.

And, just like Homecoming Week, the South O'Brien Student Council also has packed the week with fun-filled activities at the high school.

At 2:45 p.m. Friday, students will be dismissed from classes to participate in Wolverine Games.

"There will be class competitions in everything from sack races and sleeping bag pulling races to tug of war," Flynn said.

If getting out of class for 45 minutes is not incentive enough, the winning class will claim the competition trophy.

During last year's Pride Week, the student council implemented a fundraising campaign. Due to its success, the school will do so again, in the form of a class competition.

"We'll be collecting change for Pennies for Patients," Flynn said.

As a benefit for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, students will be urged to bring in pennies, dimes, nickels and quarters throughout the week. The high school class that brings in the most change will be rewarded with a pizza party.

Along with Pennies for Patients, the school also will sponsor three children who are recovering from leukemia and living in the area.

"We're not sure what communities they are from, just that they are from northwest Iowa," Flynn said. "We will be writing letters to them during our homerooms."

If nothing else, she hopes each student takes pride in the events they partake in during the week.

"The week is designed for the students to take pride," Flynn said. "Pride in their school, pride in the activities they participate in and pride in helping others in the community."

This article appeared in the May 2, 2009 edition of The N'West Iowa REVIEW.