Story by Jacqueline Smoot, Kanika Marcoux, Josey Henson, and Layla Reinecke
To many people, school spirit looks like pep rallies and spirit days, but at Chanute High School it’s deeper than that.
On March 21 a tragedy happened when one of Chanute’s main apartment buildings burnt down. This incident left 24 families with trauma, worry, and without a home. Some of those families included students and staff in USD 413.
In the wake of this tragedy, CHS has shown that school spirit is more than just pom poms and pep rallies. It’s about giving back to our community and most importantly helping those in need.
“The students and staff have definitely rallied around the people who were impacted by the fire, whether student or staff member,” Activities Director Nick Nothern said. “Unfortunately, sometimes it takes a tragedy for people to realize that we are all in this together.”
Four CHS students were directly affected and one staff member died due to the fire. In the aftermath of the tragedy, CHS banded together to try and lighten the load of students and staff.
The athletic teams, activity programs and clubs at CHS each donated $100, raising more than $3,000 in a matter of days. This allowed CHS to give $750 to each of the students’ and staffs’ families who were impacted by the fire.
“It was a no-brainer to help out our fellow Blue Comet community,” Girls Basketball Coach Dustin Fox said. “I think [this] demonstrates the spirit of our school and how close our school is, how we’re willing to step up and help each other out when others are in need.”
Nothern agreed.
“That type of response is amazing, and shows the empathy, compassion, and love that our school has for Chanute as a community,” Nothern said.
The spirit of giving back didn’t stop there.
Student Government and National Honor Society held a schoolwide food drive to benefit all victims of the fire by providing them with food options that don’t require appliances. Hundreds of items were donated.
“It has been amazing to watch how our school, and community as a whole, have come together to support the victims of the fire,” Nothern said. “It’s so encouraging to know we live in a community where people care for their neighbors.”
