Following a surge of student interest, the Wrangell School Board has approved new middle school clubs for swimming and cheer.
The board granted the approval after students and parents generated support for the programs over the past year.
Momentum for a cheer program built during the previous basketball season, according to Middle and High School Principal Greg Clark.
“Paige Hoyt graduated last year, and her senior project was coaching a middle school cheering camp. She had a pretty big turnout,” Clark said.
Heather Armstrong, activities director for the school district, said her push for a swim program began after seeing younger athletes train alongside their older high school peers, and she felt encouraged watching middle school students practice at the pool with the high school team.
“I started hearing from other students and parents who wanted to know about getting their middle school children into a swimming club,” Armstrong said. The swim club officially started on Aug. 31. The club will be active through six weeks and it will culminate with a community swim meet.
The cheer club still needs leadership before taking to the sidelines at events. Armstrong said there is currently no middle school cheer coach, but the district will advertise to fill the volunteer position.
The school board approved the new clubs last month.
Both Clark and Armstrong view the new programs as vital steppingstones for student development.
“It’s good to see these clubs starting, because they serve as good feeder programs for the high school,” Clark said.
