Scott Swanson
Sweet Home High School Principal Keith Winslow made sure he had the undivided attention of all his students Friday morning as he called the first assembly of the year to order.
This was about focus, and not just because Winslow demands respect.
The purpose of the event was to not only bring the student body and teachers together, but to announce the Husky Pride program, which aims to help members of the campus community appreciate the need to conduct themselves responsibly.
“PRIDE is actually an acronym,” Winslow told students. “It stands for Perseverence, Respect, Integrity, Dependability and Excellence.”
Nearly all the students and teachers wore T-shirts displaying a large colored paw print and the words “Husky Pride.”
The program is the brainchild of students and teachers who met last year and developed the idea, Winslow said. Art teacher Gelindo Ferrin introduced the two students who developed the design, sophomores Sara Dunkley and Maria Daniels. Choir teacher Matthew Clark announced that Thursdays this year will be designated “Husky Pride Day,” as well as randomly selected days that will be announced over the intercom: “Wear your shirt tomorrow.”
Winslow said an example of the mindset the program is intended to engender would be if a student were to be spotted “doing something inappropriate” by another.
“You might hear the other student say, ‘Hey, Husky Pride.’”
Also during the assembly, students announced the formation of a Rowdy 40 spirit club, to help raise the enthusiasm level for Husky sports.
Chace Hutchins, one of the founders of the group, said their intention is to get at least 40 club members to each home contest.
Students signed up to participate on a large poster on one of the gym walls and they practiced a cheer led by Husky cheerleaders: “Sweet Home High School, we will fight! Fight! Fight! Fight!”