Fire of Wildcat pride has been reignited

The recent build-up of excitement and anticipation for the semifinal playoff game our CHS Wildcat football team played last Friday has been riveting. The idea we’d made it this far was thrilling. The possibility of making it all the way to state for the first time in many years, tantalizing.

In anticipation of that fateful game, all our school sites became electrified, and a Spirit Parade was organized the day before the game.

School sites went all out in celebrating, from elementary to our other secondary school sites.

Staff, students, and school buildings were not only all decked out in purple they also lined the hallways, clapping and cheering, to herald the parade of our CHS Wildcats.

Schools had the names and jersey numbers emblazoned on bulletin boards and walls. Many of the elementary schools had the names of their own student Wildcats who had attended as little ones proudly displayed.

The Spirit Parade culminated at our district’s Central Office where a similar scene unfolded. We, too, were all clad in purple, waiting at the door and lining the halls as our Wildcats arrived to conclude their parade. There we stood, cheering and clapping as our amazing Wildcat Marching Band Drum Corps, CHS Wildcadette Dance Team, CHS cheerleaders, Wildcat football team, Principal Jay Brady, and coaches entered and wound their way through Central Office ending up in the large board room, packing the space, the walls vibrating with the volume.

As the drum corps continued playing — along with cheering, clapping, and noise-makers — it felt like we were about to take the roof off the building, and I certainly wasn’t the only individual experiencing a tearful moment, or two.

Thinking back to Superintendent Renee Russ’ encouraging words at our beginning-of-year convocation to “remember who we are” and “how great we are” … it was easy to see this is exactly what was taking place. It was happening.

What an amazing experience for all who were involved, whether adults, young students, or our CHS Wildcats; a palpable encounter that those students — young and old — will never forget.

Game night was as electric, with packed stands of cheering Wildcat fans, braving the freezing cold evening to the end. The outcome was not what was hoped for, but the fight was valiant and unyielding, with some brilliant plays.

What’s important is what endures: we are fiercely proud of our Wildcats and will remain so. The spark’s been lit, reigniting the fire of Wildcat pride.

Cindy Kleyn-Kennedy is the instructional technology coordinator for Clovis Municipal Schools. She can be reached at:

[email protected]