The recent Tail Gator event was successful, full of fun activities and food, with a perfect sunny day to accompany the occasion. Music played in the background as the football team warmed up nearby, and students milled around the street.
As this was the first year of the ‘Tail Gator,’ the turnout was better than organizers had hoped for. Located outside the Cleveland track and field, the event was hosted on Friday, Oct. 17 just before the football game, and helped nurture a sense of excitement leading up to the homecoming game and dance.
As promised, there was a wide variety of free food including a hot dog stand, cookies, and various snack prizes from different games. The food was fairly distributed amongst everyone, as ensured by the paper slips handed out at the entrance.
Different stands lined the street, four of which were run by each class cabinet. Every table was funded by the Booster club, and each received $100 to purchase the items needed for their booth.
The freshman table hosted ring toss, and their purple tent was decorated with vines, a tribute to the Night on the Bayou theme. As freshmen, this opportunity to participate in a school event helped to better immerse them in the school community.
“It’s been really awesome. At first I wasn’t sure I was gonna make a lot of connections and friends, and I think freshman student council especially has been a really great place to connect with people who share my interest in leadership, and in helping our school community,” said freshman Ozma Wolfson.
In addition, the sophomore class cabinet had connected a variety of different sized hula hoops that players threw a football through, which helped excite students for the game. Almost all of the sophomore class cabinet was there to assist, and everyone seemed to genuinely be having a good time.
“I think that everybody should go to the sophomore table, because we have some pretty cool snacks,” said Julia Heineck, sophomore class vice president. “I think it’s great that we’re getting the community together.”
The cake walk was facilitated by the junior class cabinet. The station was constantly running, and everyone was eager to participate.
“The fact that there’s a cakewalk going on is amazing,” said history teacher Steve Nims. Additionally, Nims commented on the spikeball tournament nearby, saying, “It’s a glorious day, and it’s been very fun watching people. It’s almost semi-dangerous the way those kids are kinda holding on there, because some of those kids are rifling the ball.”
The spikeball tournament, hosted by some of the senior class cabinet, was a highlight of the afternoon. This high stakes competition – which followed many friendly, smaller games played in the street – took place over three rounds. The final round pitted Josephine Raymond and Addie Bass against Pan Slaven-Davis and Toby Lee. Slaven Davis and Lee won the competition, and they received a prize of $45 dollars worth of gift cards.
Along with the students, many teachers and staff attended the event. They all seemed to be enjoying themselves, and were impressed with the student participation.
“I think anything to get kids doing something after school all engaged, and everyone here is engaged, they’re all having a good time,” said Mark Wren, an administrative assistant in the athletic department.
Julia Blattner, social studies teacher, also expressed her appreciation for seeing students enjoying themselves. “It’s so nice just seeing teenagers out having fun, just being kids. It brings me back to the days of elementary school fairs and it’s just fun for everyone,” Blattner said.
The nostalgic aspect of the event gave it a unique experience, and brought back fun childhood memories of various fall carnivals. This feeling was shared by the adults running the hot dog stand, who were all Cleveland alumni.
“This tent is sponsored by some alumni who own a civil engineering firm at HHPR, and they graduated classes of 1983 and 1997. They wanted to give back to the students and give them hot dogs, so we were looking forward to being here,” said alumnus Heather Austin.
The Tail Gator even attracted students who typically wouldn’t come to football games. Students who don’t enjoy watching sports so much came and had a blast having fun playing small games with their peers. This brought up the Cleveland school spirit, making the Tail Gator a success.
“I’m usually not one for sports but going to the Tail Gator is super fun. If you’re looking for a good time, you should totally come,” said SAGA (Sexuality and Gender Alliance) media manager, Vivian Boush.
The SAGA table was full of colorful beads, which were purchased with their $100 so students could make bracelets. They were grateful for their opportunity to take part in the Tail Gator.
“I’m thankful that we get to participate, because we have one of the only tables that isn’t a game or just giving away food. We have an activity, we’re making bracelets, and it’s a refreshing change of pace,” said Boush.
Next to the SAGA table, attendance coach Issac Camacho helped run LSU’s booth, which featured a traditional sombrero from Mexico, a serape laid across the table, and posters featuring the flags of countries where Cleveland students are from.
“I know the community has been hurting, but it’s always important to share the cultural background, cultural experiences. And even though our student community has been targeted, we still want to try to keep the culture alive so they can see some sort of representation of themselves at the school and at events.”
While the Tail Gator was a positive experience for most that participated, there was some feedback for the years to come.
“I think they should have a bigger space so more students can join,” said Bass.
Raymond, the spikeball player, added on, saying, “Advertise the stuff that’s gonna be there. I feel like everyone knew it was happening, but they didn’t really know what it was going to look like.”
Overall, students agreed that this event should become a tradition and continue in years to come, but most everyone said they thought the Tail Gator should only be one night a year, to better emphasize its significance.
“If I came to this once, I would not want to come again in the same year,” freshman Penelope Cobb shared.
As Cleveland’s students and staff transfer to Marshall during the Cleveland remodel, the Tail Gator can be run more effectively. The field at Marshall is directly next to the school, and will make it easier to attend.
The Tail Gator was a perfect way to get the Cleveland community together, outside in the nice weather, celebrating school spirit. The event was a perfect way to prepare students for the homecoming football game and dance later that night, and hopefully this event will continue in the following years.
