For six years now, DEF has helped fund the Blue & Gold Squad, a grassroots mentoring program at the high school that was established by Special Education teacher Beth Lewis to establish one-on-one relationships between faculty and staff and the DHS football team. In the beginning, the Squad connected a teacher or CSD staff member with a member of the football team to support them in their transition from 3A to 5A. As many good ideas do, the Blue & Gold Squad has blossomed into a movement! The Squad now supports 135 DHS cheerleaders, JV and varsity football players, and flag football players by as many CSD staff, including the superintendent AND Wilson Center staff. Those adults wear their student’s button on game days and attend at least one of their games. Once a year, the entire Squad goes to Comet Lanes to bowl together.
The Squad has accomplished its goal of establishing connections between faculty and student-athletes and has enriched the lives of students AND faculty. The students go into their games knowing that they have at least one person who is cheering them on and checking on them during the week. As adults, what more important role do we have than to raise up our youth? DEF is proud to provide continued support to the Blue & Gold Squad. Go Bulldogs!
