By Kate Hill
Staff Writer
During the 2019-2020 school year, Cazenovia High School introduced a new organization aimed at promoting sports game attendance, improving fan and athlete enjoyment, emphasizing academics and engagement; and encouraging positive sportsmanship.
The Council of Laker Athletes, Students & Staff (C.L.A.S.S.) includes students and/or student-athletes from every grade and adults from the high school.
All student members applied to the organization and were selected by Athletic Administrator Mike Byrnes.
“The students in the club are great,” Byrnes said. “They are a true representation of our student body as a whole. I have really enjoyed getting to know them as people. They are very smart, dedicated, and have had really good ideas for how we can improve the experience students have within our athletic programming. As a group, we are off to a really good start and have room for a few more student reps in 9th grade and 12th grade if students are still interested.”
Bylaws for the club were officially adopted at the February C.L.A.S.S. Business Meeting.
“Over my career I have often thought it would be a good idea to form a council of students that had a focus on athletics and school spirit surrounding our athletics program,” Byrnes said. “I also felt that there might be some high school students who wanted to be involved in our athletics programs in other ways than being athletes. This [school] year turned out to be the year I went for it and took a chance. I asked [Superintendent] Reilly if he would let me spearhead the student organization and, after a few brainstorming sessions, he gave me the go-ahead . . . [Principal] Hagan in the high school has also been a big supporter so far.”
In December 2019, the club arranged an effort to collect money from sports teams to be privately donated to families in need during the holidays.
C.L.A.S.S. member Jason Olkowski, grade 12, spearheaded the successful project.
According to a press release written by Hannora Race (grade 10) and edited by Lindsey Lawson (grade 12) and Byrnes, the new organization has worked to increase student attendance at games by creating themes, such as “Whiteout” and “Hawaiian Shirt Night,” and posting reminders on Instagram @cazclass20192020.
“These game themes have helped us unite our fans at games and achieve better school spirit,” wrote Race.
Several C.L.A.S.S. members — including Elora Wilmot (grade 11), Harry Hausser (grade 8), Max Fischer (grade 11) and Maddie Young (grade 11) — have become game announcers and/or the announcer’s spotter during the winter boys and girls varsity basketball home games.
The club has also been working to create a spirit T-shirt that students can wear to Lakers sports competitions. Individuals wearing the shirt would gain free admission to a home football, volleyball, ice hockey, or basketball game.
“We hope that this shirt will increase spirit at games and unify our fans,” wrote Race. “Be on the lookout for more information about this exclusive Cazenovia 2020 Lakers T-shirt. Thank you to Elora Wilmot for chairing this project.”
According to Byrnes, the students have successfully sought out several sponsors who will have their names on the back of the shirt along with “C.L.A.S.S. 2020.” The front of the royal blue shirt will read “CAZENOVIA 2020 LAKERS” in gold and white. The exact design has yet to be finalized.
The T-shirt project is currently on pause due to the COVID-19 shutdown.
“Like any [other organization], COVID-19 has broken our routine, but we have adjusted and have held video conference meetings using Zoom . . .” said Byrnes. “The club’s co-presidents . . . have learned how to make meeting agendas and have done a good job running our meetings.”
The organization’s most recent project was “C.L.A.S.S. Challenge Week” (April 6-10) — an initiative aimed at keeping spirits up during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Each day, students and other interested community members were encouraged to post photos online related to a different theme (“Laker Strong!,” “Tik Tok Tuesday,” “Workout Wednesday,” “Thankful Thursday” and “Fashion Friday”).
According to Byrnes, the initiative was successful on multiple social media platforms.
“The students deserve a ton of credit as they organized the themes and the information and worked with Mrs. Molly Hagan to get the word out,” Byrnes said.
C.L.A.S.S. Members
Advisor: Mike Byrnes
Staff Representatives, 1-year terms: Tim Mascari and Katie Cannizzaro
Co-Presidents: Lindsey Lawson (grade 12) and Jason Olkowski (grade 12)
Vice President: Lindsey Clements (grade 11)
Treasurer: Max Fischer (grade 11)
Secretary: Ella Brown (grade 11)
Voting Member Grade Representatives: Maddie Young (grade 11), Elora Wilmot (grade 11), Joey Rightmyre (grade 9), Harry Hausser (grade 8), AJ Rothfeld (grade 10), Garrett Fasset (grade 10) and Hannora Race (grade 10).
For information on joining the club, contact a C.L.A.S.S. officer or other student representative.
