As written by Toni Milbourne and published in The Journal on October 21
HARPERS FERRY — Monday was the first day of Spirit Week at Harpers Ferry Middle School, as the students, faculty, and especially the football team look ahead to the upcoming Homecoming game scheduled for Thursday afternoon.
However, those currently within the school’s walls were not the only ones thinking of the importance of the week and the pride that rises during this special week in any school.
Members of the Harpers Ferry High School Alumni Association arrived at school Monday morning with 600 stuffed tigers — one to hand out to every student in the school. The Tiger mascot has been in place at the school for years, and those who walked the halls as high schoolers wanted to step in and encourage school spirit in their younger counterparts, who now call the school home as a middle school.
Alumni member Wayne Welty, Class of 1965 at Harpers Ferry High, shared that the alumni organization came up with the idea of giving the stuffed tigers as a way to boost pride in the school and pump up the students for Spirit Week, or Pride Week, as Welty remembers it.
Welty shared that faculty received tiger keychains, as well.
“We are very excited about this game and this week. It is the first home football game we have had since the COVID pandemic,” Principal Eric Vandell said, adding that a pep rally Thursday will help get everyone in the school excited for the game, where the Tigers will face off against the Shepherdstown Cardinals.
Game time is 1 p.m. on the field behind the school. In addition to the pep rally Thursday, each day is designated as a special day. For example, Monday was Twins Day.
When speaking to the actions taken by the alumni in bringing in the tigers, Vandell had only praise.
“We always appreciate the alumni and the support they give us,” Vandell said. “We certainly appreciate their bringing tigers for every student.”
Vandell went on to speak to the unique relationship shared between the alumni association and the school.
“We are blessed to have those who attended Harpers Ferry High School support us the way they do,” Vandell said, adding that those in the alumni organization are constantly supporting students and providing for needs within the school.
“We want to support the middle school team spirit,” said Jane Rutherford, Class of 1968 at Harpers Ferry High School, as she and fellow classmate Julie Myers arrived to help present the stuffed tigers, along with Welty, Don Caniford, also Class of 1965, and Ralph Bowlin.
While Harpers Ferry High School was consolidated into Jefferson High School with the other high schools that once served around the county, those who walked the halls of the school are still active in supporting the now-middle school and prior to that, the junior high.
The alumni association welcomes not only those who graduated from Harpers Ferry High School but also those who attended three years at either the junior high or middle school, dependent upon the name at the time. The hope of the leaders of the association is that those who attended even as a middle school will return as part of the alumni to continue providing assistance to the school when needed, as well as continuing to provide scholarships to students who attended three years at the school.
For those who would be interested in finding out more about the alumni group, contact Bowlin at 410-570-0839.