Seniors Keenan George and Ian MacGillivray help lead the student section, The Pound, at sporting events and aim to fill the shoes of last year’s graduates.

The class of 2013 roars in excitement as the performers dance in unison, then raise the Husky Spirit Stick for everyone to see. The mass of boys approach the future leaders of The Pound, and in one swift movement, the Spirit Stick lands in the hands of senior Keenan George.

In the Sweetheart spirit dances last school year, the graduating seniors handed leadership of the school student section to the class below.

According to George, he has always been very involved in school spirit, whether it was participating in the Spirit Week dances or singing opera during the basketball games when the opposing team shoots free throws. But, his spirit leadership all started when BVNW 2013 graduate Zach Somberg handed George the Spirit Stick during the last senior dance.

“It was pretty cool when Zach handed me the Spirit Stick,” George said.

Senior and co-leader of The Pound Ian MacGillivray said the first game of the season was really hard to approach without last year’s seniors, because they didn’t really know the lay of the land.

“Last year’s seniors lead The Pound so well,” MacGillivray said. “It was some really big shoes to fill.”

At the first football game this year, George said they felt a lot of pressure to meet the expectations of last year.

“The juniors were yelling ‘You guys suck at leading

The Pound,’ and I was like ‘It’s our first game, give us a break man,’” George said.

Although The Pound leaders may have gotten some criticism the first game, freshman Grace Strohl said she has always loved the atmosphere of The Pound.

“Everybody just cheers; no one is not cheering,” Strohl said. “Everyone there is energetic.”

According to MacGillivray, his and George’s job is to coordinate the theme, tweet for The Pound (@BVNW_ThePound) and start the cheers, along with making sure everyone is showing good school spirit.

“We bring the student section to life by getting everyone involved,” George said. “If no one joins in with us, we do it by ourselves.”

MacGillivray said it is a ton of fun getting everyone, including himself, involved in the game.

“We just need to get the freshmen involved,” George said. “They are always jacking around. Like come on, show some school spirit.”

During one of the home football games, Strohl was asked to Homecoming in front of The Pound. Strohl said that definitely changed her perspective on The Pound.

“I thought it was really cool, but I was really embarrassed,” Strohl said. “Everyone was chanting my name so it was really fun for me.”

MacGillivray said it may seem like a pretty simple job, but it is very difficult to be at every single game, home and away. Homework and job schedules can get in the way.

“We try our best to be there, but sometimes it just doesn’t work out,” MacGillivray said.

MacGillivray said his goal is to leave a strong impression on The Pound like the 2013 graduates did.

“I am going to meet the expectations of last years seniors and even exceed it,” MacGillivray said. “Definitely exceed it.”