The Renaissance Club is Lit

BY: GRACE S.

A bonfire hosted by the Renaissance Club was held on November 8, 2019, in the high school parking lot. The purpose of the bonfire was to encourage culture and community within the school. It was lit.

In the beginning, Mr. Buescher, the football coach, gave a motivational speech. Junior and Renaissance Club member, Samantha Chaffin, summarized it. “He talked about how our school shouldn’t just be about one thing, he used football as an example. Those one or two things should be what brings us together. Tomorrow is a big night for the band, and tomorrow is a big night for the students who are there supporting, it’s a big night for the parents. It’s not just about the football team. It’s about everybody, and us coming together.”

Cookies, hot dogs, and chips were also available for students to purchase and enjoy during the bonfire. Multiple cornhole boards were set up and students played against their friends. A speaker was blasting tunes for students to dance.

She also explained how the Renaissance Club is different from Student Council. The student council is more community-oriented while the Renaissance Club focuses on the school. The Club strives to make the school a better place by bringing everyone together and eliminating cliques.

Chaffins said to look forward to more pep rallies with monotunes and awards for the student body from the renaissance club. She is even interested in selling bracelets with West Jefferson colors to further unite the student population.

At one point, a flash mob broke out. They danced to the Cupid Shuffle, Cha Cha Slide, and “Baby” by Justin Bieber. Sophomore attendee, Abby Arteaga, said that dancing to the Cupid Shuffle was the best part of her night.

Arteaga came out to the event with a large group of her friends, but she also interacted with acquaintances as well. “I know [the purpose of the bonfire] was to improve the culture of our school and I just wanted to hang out with people I don’t normally hang out with,” said Arteaga. She said she feels like she has “for sure” done that.

She also commented that if not for the bonfire, she wouldn’t have had anything to do that night. “I didn’t have anything else to do so. And we are all used to coming here for football.”

The Rider Boys of the football team played their first playoff game the following night against Cincinnati Summit Country Day. They won 48-24 and moved on to the next round.

Senior Rider Boy and Renaissance Club member, Ben Kronk, said that “nothing more than a good idea and a way to spread school spirit,” prompted the club to have the bonfire.

Keep looking forward to events and activities hosted by the Renaissance Club in the future. Follow them on Instagram @RiderRenaissance and Twitter @WjRenaissance.