Recently, a current Milby student entered a comment on the “Sports News” section of our blog, expressing her concerns and asking us OLDSTERS the following questions:
“Hello, I attend Milby High!!! I have tons of pride for my school!! I'm part of the softball and cheerleading team. However, our fields don't look so nice and our track doesn't even look like a track. The people who are in sports try to do the best they can to win games and we do win some games, but I know everyone is capable of more.
Milby coaches try their hardest to make the teams advance, but they can only do with what is there. For example, the football coach really believes in his team, and does all he can to better his team's future. He stops at no limit to help "his boys", even if it means money from his own pocket.
I would like some advice on what can be done to help Milby's sports and future students of Milby High. Some students from Milby don't have the pride that I do, and I want them to be proud of attending this great school. How can I change people's minds? Sorry for the inconvenient message.”
Laura McNeil Burns responded: “I think it is exciting, not inconvenient, to have a current student on this blog. Maybe people more involved in sports than I will have some answers for you.”
Evidently Nicole was serious in asking us her questions, because she was quick to follow up Laura’s comment with this: “Thanks!!!! It really means a whole lot. I also want to know about the activities that y’all would do when y’all attended MILBY. What did y’all do for spirit day, or rallies? Things like that. I want to bring back all the exciting things.”
Laura gave these questions some thought before posting, “I don't know if things have changed that much. I remember when my older son came home from a pep rally at Round Rock High School. He said the Round Rock cheerleaders had announced that the cheerleaders from the opposing school would be making an appearance. "Oh," I said, ‘and the Round Rock football players were dressed up like the Westwood cheerleaders, right?’ ‘How did you know?’ he asked. I replied, ‘I went to high school myself’.” (That Laura is as sharp as a tack!!!)
Now these exchanges in themselves are interesting to read, but I think Nicole may have introduced a topic for the blog that will be both fun and informative. Laura has started us thinking with her comments. So, here are some questions to which I encourage you to respond:
- How can a young person in today’s world influence a big city school district to improve the athletic facilities and better fund the athletic programs of the school?
- Was it exciting to attend Milby “back in the day”? If so, what made it exciting, not just in terms of sports related activities but through all of the activities at Milby?
Your answers may be serious ones about governmental spending and fiscal responsibility, or they may be more humorous ones like Laura’s recollection of poking fun at the opposition’s “beauties”.
You may see this as an opportunity to interact with a current student of our alma mater, instilling in her and her classmates a sense of hope and inspiration to ‘make something good happen’ at dear old Milby.
Or you may just let these questions lead you down memory lane and recall (through comments on the blog) some of the fun and exciting things we experienced in high school. We'll all enjoy sharing your memories, and they will probably inspire us to recall memories of our own.
You may have some questions for Nicole about how things are nowadays – I trust she will continue to tune in and gives us a listen.
But whatever we do, let’s not ignore this opportunity to cross the generational divide. Let’s not disappoint a youngster with “tons of pride” in Charles H. Milby High School.
Previous Comments
Posted by: John Echoff | June 30, 2008 at 03:11 AM
Nicole, try to think of activities in which you are proud to participate, such as cheerleading and softball. What causes that feeling of pride, is it the feeling of belonging to a group, self esteem, or accomplishment? When you are able to answer that question, you will be on the way to finding a method to infect others with similar goals or feelings. Once a group focuses on a singular goal and reaches it, objectives become realities, pride and teamwork rise to unbelievable heights.
Think how as a cheerleader, you are able to lead people to a singular goal. Utilize the same leadership toward the goal of improvement of morale, and individual pride in participating in a group effort. Listen the next time a team wins a contest, the fans proudly proclaim "we won!", not they (the team) but "we" the fans' pride becomes an extension of the team's efforts. Good luck and remember a positive attitude is contagious.
Posted by: Karla and Ed | July 04, 2008 at 06:25 PM
Nicole, I am sure you and your friends would love for the staff and administration to take the lead in improving the situation you describe. However, there are some things you and your friends can do (with staff approval, of course) to improve spirit regardless of what the adults involved do. This may be a case where, when they see your great school spirit and the effort you have made, they will follow YOUR lead to make things happen.
My husband was a High School Principal in Spring Branch (Northbrook High School) in the 70's and he currently teaches at a High School in Waco. I mentioned this post to him and the ideas he has seen used effectively just came tumbling out. I asked him to write them down for you, Nicole. We realize you probably already do many of these, but here is a list of things to consider. Karla Lofgren Davis, Blogmeister
Ideas for Nicole
Wear cheerleading uniform or other spirit wear on game days
Tape spirit messages to lockers of players on game day
Cheerleaders or other groups bake cupcakes or cookies for players on game day
Have special (school approved) dress on game days like hat day, spirit shirt day, Hawaiian day, crazy tie day, etc.
Have competitions among grade-levels for spirit points each week – amount of posters, amount of spirit shirts worn, pep-rally participation, etc. – with winning grade level at end of certain time allowed to have a float party, ice-cream party, etc.
Door decorating contest during Homecoming Week with prizes awarded for best doors in each hallway or building area or homeroom, etc.
In place of usual pep-rally once each season for different sports, have indoor hallway pep-rally parade on a game day complete with band, cheer and spirit squads, and players traveling through hallways cheering and getting people involved
Lots of hallway posters
Invite feeder middle schools (junior high schools) to send select group of students over to high school on pep-rally day to add their spirit to the high school kids – great way to build up spirit for when the younger ones get to high school
Grade level competitions in pep-rally on who shows the most spirit – students sit according to grade level. Compete for a “spirit-stick” or some other prize each pep rally.
On hallway bulletin boards or in centralized trophy or display case, post pictures of players, coaches, cheer squad members, etc.
At pep rallies, have student leaders from teams and coaches speak to the group to stir up spirit
Skits, funny dance routines, etc. at each pep rally involving spirit groups, student leaders, coaches, faculty, and even parents
Have favorite teacher of each player accompany player into the pep rally on the floor of gym to honor faculty – faculty member could even wear an extra jersey of the player that day to teach in.
Once you improve school spirit, invite Houston ISD Board Members or other HISD Central Administration Personnel to attend pep rallies to get their support and to show the students that what they do matters. You might need to honor a particular person, such as "Board Member of the Month", to assure they attend.
When these guests see how great the school spirit is at Milby, they might be more interesetd in helping you get the facility and equipment improvements that you need there. Good luck, and don't give up!!! One person with "tons of pride" can make a difference. And keep us informed of your progress!!! KLD
Posted by: nicole | July 07, 2008 at 08:46 PM
Thank you so much!!! I can't wait to share all this useful information with cheerleaders and sport directors. I want Milby's pride to change and note my goal is to try out all the ideals that were posted. Thank you Karla Lofgren Davis for the abundance of pride picker uppers.
Posted by: nicole | July 08, 2008 at 05:06 PM
How can a young person in today’s world influence a big city school district to improve the athletic facilities and better fund the athletic programs of the school? To respond to this question I would have to say start by getting more students involved in after school activities. To be honest with you, I don’t mean to sound mean but why do we need flat screen TVs in class rooms? What good is that? Regular TVs would be just fine. The fund for sports is not only what concerns me there is also education and the schools appearance. This summer they have painted some walls, but wouldn't new water fountains be a better ideal for renovations?
Posted by: Laura McNeil Burns | July 08, 2008 at 08:33 PM
You will be a voter as soon as you turn 18. Your comments to school board members should be given serious consideration -- anyone who dismisses your opinion may be alienating a future voter.
So I would say voice your opinion to the district -- there is a feedback form on the HISD web page that allows you to do this on line. Keep us posted in regard to how the things you are doing work out. I for one am impressed with your concerns and your desire to contribute to the schools and community.
Posted by: Laura McNeil Burns | July 09, 2008 at 02:54 PM
I should add, come to think of it, that it is better to make suggestions about spending money BEFORE the decision. So perhaps you should phrase the suggestion something like "Next time you are budgeting for improvements...." Speaking up does not always get you what you want, but it is a better alternative than not speaking up.
Posted by: Doris Lentz Simmons | July 11, 2008 at 12:26 PM
Nicole, I may have missed it but I would like to know what grade you will be in this Fall. I first must say that I'm so thankful to see your concern -- it makes me proud!! I will offer you this, that if and when you have your plan/presentation you would like the Board to see, I'd be happy to review with you and go with you if that is what is needed. I have long been disheartened when I know we had so much that is no longer offered. I'll tell you this --- politics is the only answer. Get involved. The Texas Legislature has totally neglected and "shoved off" their commitment to education to the counties and the private sector. I don't have any more time at this moment, but hopefully you can see that I will be a partner with/for you in this if you decide you want company. Again, I'm proud of you!! You go girl! and not necessarily alone in your quest!!
Posted by: nicole | July 16, 2008 at 05:14 PM
im going to be be in the 11 grade. sorry for taking to long to post back i was at cheer camp.thank you so much for offereing your help. this means so much to me. i want to make a differnece before its too late. a great teacher that i had the pleasure of having is no longer at milby due to the princibal.he consideres the students as products, and not as living organisms.she help me build on writing skills and find myself as a person. i know i still have a long way to go, but im confident as i choose my life goal.teachers that teach the lower classes dont have high expectations for there students and that isnt right. should someone not care for a student because there learning ability isnt as high as advanced students? should a teacher just care about there paycheck?i told some of the ideals about spirit day to the other cheerleaders and they love it!!!!i cant wait for the first football game.im confused on how to get started about the whole school reform. i want to get other students involved but i dont know how to put my point across.
Posted by: Doris Lentz Simmons | July 18, 2008 at 04:38 PM
Good to hear from you and I hope your camp was a lot of fun. I'm glad you have some others who feel like they want to help with some sort of the "School Spirit" efforts. I'm with you on not knowing quite where to start. But you have started and that's what's important. If you get to a point where you think it's time for administration involvement/permission I'll be happy to review any written plea or let you run it verbally by me. As you get closer, please let me know if you would like to meet. I'll be happy to make a trip back to the old neighborhood. Maybe we could meet at Harris' Pharmacy or something. And, if you don't believe that you are at that point, just let me know when you are ready. I will do my best to help in any way.
Posted by: nicole | July 22, 2008 at 04:29 PM
thank you. im thinking of ways to get started but so far im blocked.ill keep you updated.
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okay i have two friends that would like to be part of what i want. now i have no clue where to go from there.
what can be done? our track is so horrible.......the students that are troubled in school should have to be in a after school activity to build character....and school spirit...is that good to start with?
Posted by: nicole | September 07, 2008 at 01:02 PM
Nicole, I'll contact you on your personal e-mail. I left it at home, but we'll talk to decide where to meet and make plans. If there are specific things you want to focus on...the track, etc., yes, a goal helps!! You are doing the right thing.
Posted by: Doris Simmons | September 10, 2008 at 02:23 PM
right now everything is on hold....my grandmother is very ill in the hospital and i dont wish to focus on anything but her at the moment.....thank you so much for your help so far, unitl later notice....
Posted by: nicole | October 11, 2008 at 11:07 PM