After twenty years of supporting StuCo, the whole Free State faculty and many other groups, the Booster Club has decided to disperse due to the lack of parental involvement. The Booster Club began when the school opened. They were a group of parents that raised money to help various programs around the school. The club brought in about $20,000 a year through fundraisers they did themselves — $15,000 of which was from t-shirt sales alone. Booster Club’s main goal was to promote and spread school spirit.

Assistant principal Mike Hill described the group as “an overarching entity that supported all school activities from sports, to fine arts, to our teaching staff and individual students.” Sadly, last April, the group voted 4-3 to disband. The decision was made due to lack of support on the board. Senior Morgan McReynolds, the daughter of board member Kelly McReynolds, explained how Booster Club was under appreciated.

“People don’t know how much [the Booster Club does],” McReynolds said. “Once they are absent, it will be noticed.”

Many of the funds for various clubs around the school came from the Booster Club. Without their help, those clubs will have to do more fundraisers.

The administration has already made an arrangement with Jock’s Nitch to sell apparel at sporting events. Many of the Booster Club’s projects have not been replaced yet. The most missed project will be the scholarships that were offered by the booster club.

“The big thing that I don’t know if we have an answer for right now is scholarships,” Hill said.

Seniors used to be able to apply for one of the club’s scholarships. Without the Booster Club’s help, those scholarships will no longer be offered.

Before Booster Club disbands completely, they will have two final projects. The school will be receiving three painted benches from Van Gogh to place around the school. One will be athletics themed, one academically themed and one art themed. Booster Club is also having 20th anniversary t-shirts made for everyone in the school.

Booster Club did many things around the school to make the Free State experience the best it could be. Without their help, clubs and organizations will have to find new and more creative ways to raise money. Parental involvement is vital in high schools, and Free State will not be the same in the Booster Club’s absence.