Bearcat Fest scheduled during GHS Spirit Week

“This is your school, let them know that there are good things going on here, that you are learning, growing, and working hard,” stated Mrs. Watkins, instructor of the newly organized Leadership Class at Grafton High School. The class is pictured above as they work on Bearcat Fest, scheduled for Wednesday, September 26.

GRAFTON – Mrs. Watkins’ Leadership class at Grafton High School (GHS) is working feverishly to get things organized for Bearcat Fest, scheduled for Wednesday, September 26, 2012. Watkins explained that this is the first year for the Leadership Class, and that the class was designed for developing ways to get school pride and spirit.

“I am proud to be a Bearcat. I was proud to be a Bearcat in 1989, and I am still proud today,” said Watkins in a speech that she prepared to set the stage for the school year.

Watkins not only sets the bar high for herself, she pushes all of her students to excel in everything they do while at GHS.

“I challenge you right now to become a student and a school you are proud of. Do you want to be someone that people respect, someone that is armed with knowledge so that the world doesn’t take advantage of them? Someone who knows how to work hard, change things, enjoy life, or do you want to be somebody who sits back and does nothing, and complains about how bad things are?”

Watkins went on to say, “I challenge you to leave no doubt that it means something, something great, to be a Grafton Bearcat. You have a town that cares about you. Leave no doubt in the minds of this community that their efforts and resources were not wasted on you.”

Because of her strong school spirit, and desire for excellence, Watkins was chosen to teach the Leadership Class. That class is currently focusing on Bearcat Fest, which will begin after the homecoming parade on the 26th. Watkins noted that the parade is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m., with everyone meeting for lineup in the parking lot of the DHHR building on Barrett Street.

In addition to working on Bearcat Fest, the Leadership Class is looking for individuals to participate in the parade. Anyone interested in entering a dance group, car, or float in the parade is encouraged to call Mrs. Watkins at 304-265-3046.

The parade will cross the Bridge Street Bridge, turn left onto Main Street, and then proceed up Main Street to the Grafton Post Office.

The parade will then turn left, go down the hill past Taylor County Supply, and then across the Memorial City Bridge. At the end of the Memorial City Bridge it will turn right onto Riverside Drive, and then proceed to the Scotty Hamilton Gymnasium at Grafton High School.

Admission to Bearcat Fest is three dollars. Once inside, visitors will enjoy carnival games, a cakewalk, and inflatables. Leadership Class students are excited to note that the inflatables will include the obstacle course and jousting house this year.

The homecoming game is scheduled for Friday, September 28, with the coronation of queens and the homecoming court taking place during halftime.

The homecoming dance is scheduled from 8–11 Saturday, September 29 in the Scotty Hamilton Gym.

Watkins encourages all students to, “Leave no doubt in your own mind that you had enough pride in yourself to learn everything you could while you had the chance. Leave no doubt that you enjoyed every thuse, dance, game, prom, and poetry club meeting you had the opportunity to attend, and that you did it with Bearcat style.”