SAC Sound-off: What did you learn?

May 30, 2012

So why be part of the MHSAA Student Advisory Council? It looks great on a college application, and it's a lot of fun. But our members also picked up some important perspectives this school year.

It starts with sportsmanship

“Always promote sportsmanship. Sportsmanship doesn’t just apply to athletics. It applies to future careers and working with people in different cultures.” – Detroit Country Day senior Maria Buczkowski

“Being a good sport will take you far, and working as a team can take you even farther.” Portland St. Patrick junior Elle Lehman

“Keep my temper under control and always keep a positive attitude.” – Evan Lamb, Rogers City junior

Leadership doesn't stop at the door

“In order to be a leader on my teams, I need to be a leader all of the time – including at school, at practice and anywhere else I go. I’ve learned that no matter where I am, I represent my teams, school and the MHSAA.” – Carly Joseph, Pontiac Notre Dame prep junior

“Leadership isn’t just leading. It’s doing what’s right, even if it’s not the ‘cool’ thing to do.” – Vandercook Lake junior Thye Fischman

“Being on the SAC these past two years has really made me realize just how much of a role model a high school athlete is to a younger one. It’s pretty special to see the smiles on their faces if you just take five minutes to talk to them.” – Rudyard senior Tyler Wilson

We can learn from each other

“It helped me to branch out and become familiar with other schools that I have never even heard of before.” – Walled Lake Central junior Taylor Krumm

“I learned a lot about how other schools are run, and I made a lot of friends that I hope last for a long time. I also learned how important leadership is.” – Kalamazoo Hackett Catholic Central junior Abby Radomsky

Together, we can do big things

“I now realize that being a member of the SAC has taught me that I am able to be a part of something bigger than myself. For example, the ‘Battle of the Fans’ was statewide. I know that with the right drive, organization and work ethic, projects like this are feasible.” – New Buffalo senior Lena Madison

There's a right way to cheer

“Student sections can be fun, loud and not get the other team down.” – Benzie Central senior Travis Clous

“The camaraderie and friendships I made when visiting Rockford for our ‘Battle of the Fans’ competition taught me what student cheering sections are truly about.” – Bailey Truesdell, Grand Blanc senior

“The way the student section acts at games is a reflection on the character and the values that the school has.” Muskegon Catholic Central senior Alissa Jones

Battle of the Fans VI: Vote Now

February 11, 2017

By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor

The best Michigan high school student cheering sections have shown us their best over the last four weeks.

Now it's your turn to tell us which of those final five has earned the title Battle of the Fans VI champion.

Vote today through 4 p.m. Thursday on your favorite of these five (enrollments in parentheses) – Boyne City (396), Charlotte (815), Frankenmuth (533), Petoskey (954) and Traverse City West (1,552) – by liking, sharing and re-tweeting on the MHSAA’s FacebookTwitter and Instagram sites

But before you do, take a few minutes to watch all five videos and read the stories behind the sections by clicking the links below. 

The contest is sponsored by the MHSAA Student Advisory Council, which will have the final vote on the champion. SAC members will use all resources available to make their decision – including giving significant weight to the public social media vote. Votes will be valued proportionate to the size of the school receiving them (for example, one vote for Class C Boyne City will mean more than one vote for much larger Class A Traverse City West). 

The champion will be announced Friday on Second Half. Video of all five finalists will be shown on the main scoreboard during the Girls and Boys Basketball Finals in March at Michigan State's Breslin Student Events Center. All five finalists will be invited to Breslin on March 24 for the Class B Boys Basketball Semifinals, and the winner will be presented with a championship banner at center court.  

And now, the finalists, in alphabetical order:



Boyne City

Read all about it: 5 Ways Boyne City's Ramblers Get Rowdy


Charlotte

Read all about it: 5 Ways Charlotte's Fight Club Soars


Frankenmuth

Read all about it: 5 Ways Frankenmuth is Flying High


Petoskey

Read all about it: 5 Ways the Blue Crew Has Us 'Believin'


Traverse City West

Read all about it: 5 Ways West's Creatures Continue to Crush