Pride Committee expands its outreach in WHS community

Think Pink fund-raiser and Homecoming activities just two of popular club’s events

With+more+than+100+students+involved%2C+the+Pride+Committee+sometimes+needs+to+hold+its+meeting+in+the+Watertown+High+gym+so+it+can+fit+everyone.+

Raider Times photo / Alexis Catsoulis

With more than 100 students involved, the Pride Committee sometimes needs to hold its meeting in the Watertown High gym so it can fit everyone.

Alexis Catsoulis, Raider Times staff

The 2016-2017 school year has been in session for almost a month. In this time, many sports, clubs, and other school activities have been encouraging Watertown High students to have an active role in the community. There is one club in particular this year that has the potential to reach more students than most: Pride Committee. 

Think Pink Day will be Thursday, Oct. 20, and the Homecoming dance is set for Saturday, Oct. 22

The mission of Pride Committee is to spread all aspects of school spirit and unite the student body. This year the club is seeing a change in leadership, welcoming history teacher David Mastro to the committee. The Pride Committee is also welcoming back Adam Joyce, a WHS physical education teacher. Behind these teachers are students who represent all facets of the student body and proudly embody the ideals of “Pride”.The club first realized its special circumstances during the club fair at the beginning of the school year. Initially, 116 students signed up.

“I think that more people want to be a part of the movement that brings a lot of fun activities to the school,” said senior and veteran member Olivia Venezia.

The best way to keep efficient communication open to this many students is with a Google classroom run by Mr. Mastro and a Facebook page informally run by the senior members.

Members of Watertown High's Pride Committee sign up new members at the annual club fair
Members of Watertown High’s Pride Committee sign up new members at the annual club fair

As anticipated, 116 students do not attend each meeting or actively participate in this club, but more than half do. These students have a hopeful agenda this year, and they are not wasting any time.

October is also known as Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and the Pride Committee is running a Think Pink campaign. They have designed T-shirts that will be on sale for $10 and are donating all proceeds to breast cancer research. This project has been very successful in the past, and every year the students want to make the campaign stronger and more lively.

A great day to wear the shirts will be Think Pink Day on Thursday, Oct. 20, when the school will decorated for the occasion.

The Pride Committee has also taken on Homecoming! It will be a week to raise awareness for Think Pink and to support all school activities. There will be a school dance at the end of this week on Saturday, Oct. 22. Tickets will be $7 in advance and $10 at the door. All of the funds will go to scholarships.

Later on this school year will be Spirit Week and the Pep Rally, as well as the hilarious Mr. WHS, the annual all-male pageant at WHS.

The Pride Committee has a reputation of bringing fun activities into the school and working to unite the student body at WHS. This year, there is no doubt it will do just that.

Members of Watertown High's Pride Committee sign up new members at the annual club fair
Members of Watertown High’s Pride Committee sign up new members at the annual club fair

–Oct. 12, 2016–