By Jesse Reed
Dating back to 1918, during the first world series, playing the National Anthem has since been a tradition at almost every sporting event. After a few years of relying on the band, the tradition of singing the National Anthem has been brought back to Louisville High School. Activities Director Walker was the head of this, hoping to show talent from the school that may not have been seen before. Along with the tradition a bigger sense of pride has been brought to the school and community.
“The goal is for me to get as many students involved as possible,” Walker states.
Walker first initiated this plan by gathering the Elementary choir - with the help of our music teacher Mrs. Stanley - to come sing the anthem at our high school baseball games. When the kids singing went well and showed pride in our school and community with the Elementary students, Walker decided it was time to expand to the high school. He approached one of the high school students, Hailey Caughron, and she was on board to sing at the next game. After seeing her talent, Walker pushed and convinced her to apply to sing the national anthem through the NSAA for the state championship.
After seeing the success of the previous game, One Act director Erik Quam reached out to Walker to discuss the Cast of A Year With Frog And Toad, to sing the National Anthem at the homecoming game.
“I was 100% on board… It got parents and students to show up to the game that otherwise wouldn't, it got people involved into the game and production of the game that otherwise wouldn't, and I think that stuff matters.”
Walker hopes to continue this tradition, not only to show pride, but to encourage and inspire future generations to step up as well.
“My hope is once we start doing this more and more, that it gives our Elementary and Junior high kids something to shoot for,” Walker elaborates.
The national anthem isn't the only plan Walker has up his sleeve. He wants to continue this trend of growing our community pride by working on more activities like youth nights - such as the Volleyball night where students attempted to land a ball on a T-shirt to win it - and students of the week from elementary and junior high leading the coin toss at football games.
The national anthem is one of the most recognizable signs of pride in our country. Louisville High school is channeling that pride into our students and the community, by bringing people together to support each other, giving students the opportunity to become involved in an activity they otherwise may never have experienced.