Every year, students look forward to the Kickback to Give Back event that is organized in May here at LOHS. This event first started three years ago in 2022, and it focuses on raising awareness and money for mental health while also tying in school spirit and fun. It’s become a tradition that students have come to look forward to, but this year, the event has been cancelled.
The Kickback event is typically run by Jake Anders and his Marketing 3 class. The students are responsible for promoting it, finding vendors to support it and recruiting teachers and students to play in the actual game. Junior Jalen Bowman, a current student in Marketing 3, shared that, “It’s really student-led. It’s a long process, so it’s probably a two to three month long process to execute it.”
While Anders declined to comment on why the Kickback event is not being held this year, principal Kristen Colyer explained, “It is my understanding that [Anders’] marketing class chose a different event in light of [Mario] Peri passing away.” Peri, who passed away in late October, was a beloved teacher at LOHS who died after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. “[The marketing class] took the focus from the Kickback event to support pancreatic cancer research since that hit us all hard and suddenly in the school year,” Colyer said.
Across the board, students seem disappointed that the Kickback will not be happening this year. Senior Mason Klein, who has been a participant in the Kickback since 2022, feels like “not having it will definitely be sad for school spirit and awareness for our school’s mental health.” The Kickback was one of the only events here at LOHS where every member of the school was involved; both students and staff play the game, buy t-shirts to support the cause and sit in the stands to cheer their team on. It is also one of the only events where the community comes together to raise money for a good cause. “[The event has] been really good in the past years,” Klein said. “I feel like the students get into it; everyone’s throwing the chalk around and everyone’s loud and cheering on. It’s a good way to get out there, have some fun playing kickball, represent your grade and show who you are and what you’re about. It’s a very innocent and wholesome event for a good cause.”
As aforementioned, the Kickback’s purpose is not just to bring the school together for some light-hearted competition. In past years, all money raised from the event has been donated to a teen mental health organization. It’s been a reminder to students that there are resources out there to help them and a testament to LOHS’ support for mental health.
With word that the Kickback isn’t happening this year, senior Spirit Director Charlie Crandall has taken it upon himself to plan a kickball event in its place. Crandall claimed that “there still will be a Kickback event,” but it will not be as grand as the Kickback typically is in terms of having food trucks, t-shirts and a cause to raise money for. While Crandall’s event won’t necessarily be the same, it is giving students a chance to show up for their school and their grade. Crandall liked that the Kickback “involved a lot more people” and that it “gave a lot more people an opportunity to go and do something.” Besides the community aspect, Crandall also wishes to carry on the message about mental health awareness. “It’s an important topic, especially in today’s day and age. I think just because we did another event we shouldn’t completely cancel [the Kickback],” he stated.
The future of the Kickback event is uncertain, but it’s not an event the students and staff seem to be willing to let go of easily. Bowman said, “Every year the Kickback is a huge deal, so at the end of the day I’d like to see the Kickback come back. I’d like to see another event in its place if we decide not to do it.”
“If someone else wants to take it on next year, or do events like that, I support it,” Colyer stated. “I love any event that brings our school together.”
