News

Party invites students to celebrate Bearcat spirit

Students ranging in age from pre-K to high school enjoyed Bearcat merch, food trucks and school spirit during the first annual Bearcat Bash at Hendersonville High School. [MARY SHELTON/Hendersonville Lightning]

By Mary Shelton, Published: August 24, 2024

Hendersonville High School opened its gates to all Bearcats last week for the first annual Bearcat Bash. Students and their families from Hendersonville and Bruce Drysdale elementary schools, Hendersonville Middle School, and Hendersonville High School itself were invited to the courtyard to kick off the beginning of the school year.

The food trucks, field games and fanfare rose from the inspiration of Kat Chisholm and other school administrators.

“We want this to grow that feeling of Bearcat pride from a student beginning in kindergarten to the moment that student graduates from Hendersonville High School,” Chisholm, an assistant principal at HHS, said in an interview.

In recent years, it has proven difficult to create a strong connection among the four schools and their students. The Bearcat Bash is another way of bridging the gap between the student bodies and making every student feel like a part of something bigger than themselves or their individual school.

An HHS graduate herself, Chisholm understands the Bearcat spirit.

“This community, you know, is a lifelong thing.” Chisholm says. The attendees on campus underscored that — ranging from pre-K to high school seniors to parents.

But, what keeps these Bearcats constantly coming back for more?

Luke Morris, the student-body president at HHS who attended Bruce Drysdale Elementary and Hendersonville Middle, said that it’s returning teachers and staff who make the Bearcat family such an inviting space to be. This was more than evident during the Bearcat Bash when teachers from all four schools and even schools superintendent Mark Garrett made an appearance to share in the fun.

Thanks to the staff, the families and of course the students, there was an overwhelming sense of camaraderie and pride at the Bash; all generations of Bearcats strolled around in their bright red and white, to welcome the new school year and the start of yet another Bearcat family tradition.

-30-