Surprise!

I’ve mentioned before how amazing the school spirit and community support for IJSHS is.  The community has rallied around our school and they put in countless hours volunteering to make it a better place.  With each passing day, the students pride in their school increases tenfold.  Students you neve would expect to have great school spirit do, and they are passionate about it.  I can’t explain why – even I can’t figure it out sometimes – but I love this little community, and I am proud to be part of it and part of this school.

During Homecoming week, the students of IJSHS received two surprises.  The first one came in the form of a gift from the Class of 2008.  They had money left over from their Operation Graduation project, and they used it to purchase a knight statue for the school.  The statue was unveiled at the pep assembly during Homecoming week.  The roar in the gym was phenomenal!  I have NEVER heard our students so loud.  Three times they spontaneously broke into a chant, yelling “Go Knights!”.  It was nearly impossible for me to take pictures because I kept trying to plug my ears!  The statue will have a plaque on the bottom that lists the school motto and the seven virtues of a knight.

The Motto:
“Let us be viewed by our actions.”

The Seven Virtues of a Knight:
Courage
Justice
Mercy
Generosity
Faith
Nobility
Hope

  

The second surprise I was able to be part of – I have such a hard time keeping secrets, but this was a fun one to keep!  The ASB Officers purchased the school it’s very first mascot costume!  This Knight was not revealed until just before the beginning of the Homecoming football game, and he was an instant hit!  The students love him, the staff and parents love him, and the younger kids running around either love him or they’re terrified of him.    The ASB Officers picked the perfect student to wear the costume, too – he hung out with the cheerleaders, learned a couple cheers and performed them, and he helped crown the king and queen of the homecoming court during halftime.

We have a GREAT community, and we have AMAZING students!  I feel very lucky to be a part of it all.