Booster club members working to help all students

By Brent Hinckley

Thursday, Sept. 11, 2008 | 1:25 p.m.

They can be found at every home football, soccer or volleyball game.

Usually, they are working the concession stands or selling game tickets to raise money for Boulder City High.

They are members of the Boulder City High School booster club.

“We’re just a group of parents organized through the high school raising money to give back to the kids,” said Bridgette O’Neil, the club’s president.

Football coach Alex Kazel said he enjoys seeing a large group of parents and fans supporting the team.

“It’s great seeing so many people involved in supporting our team and the other programs,” he said. “It says something about the area and the school.”

O’Neil said the biggest misconception is the club raises money for only the athletic programs.

“That’s where we raise the most money, but we’re giving it back to students whether they’re in band or chess, (Future Business Leaders of America) or athletics,” O’Neill said. “Four of our five grants last spring were awarded to non-athletes.”

Since 2004, the booster club has raised approximately $250,000 and returned that money to the school in form of scholarships and other grants.

The club awarded $50,000 in the 2007-’08 school year alone, O’Neil said.

In addition to working concession stands, the club holds several fund raisers throughout the school year. O’Neill said one of the club’s new fund raiser is the Alumni brick, where the club is selling bricks that can be engraved with a message. The bricks will form a wall in the courtyard next to the gym.

Athletic Director Regina Quintero said the club has been a benefit to all the students.

“They come out and support our athletes, then turn around and help out other students,” Quintero said. “A lot of students have been able to do things they might not have able to do otherwise.”

The club helped raised the funds for the scoreboard on the football field that was installed in 2005 and the reader board inside the school’s gym.

“That is what Boosters is all about, a bunch of great people working together for the good of the school,” said Torri Haney, the club’s treasurer.

The booster club had 70 members last year, with 10 to 15 members who worked concessions at every home game.

“We have a handful of dedicated members who are at every meeting and work every event,” O’Neill said.

The club meets on the second Wednesday of every month in the high school library.