Every morning students hear the words, “Together, we rise. Together, we thrive. We are Wildcats.” The newly created Wildcat Pledge has become a recognizable part of the Wildcat Identity, but few students know how it came to be.
The pledge was introduced this school year by Principal Sprowl as a way to strengthen the culture at Ninety Six High School. Centered around the values of respect, integrity, strength and excellence, the pledge emphasizes character and unity among students of the Wildcat community.
The Backstory
“I really wanted something that was going to pull the student body and faculty together,” Sprowl said. The idea for the pledge grew from a desire to build a stronger community as one. Sprowl explained that he began the process by exploring at other schools that had mottos or pledges and using those as inspiration. Because this school year’s theme is “thrive”, he wanted the pledge to reflect growth, encouragement, and achievement. The began crafting the pledge line by line utilizing character traits that every high school student should embrace. Sprowl mentioned that he’s “not a poet”, so he acquired the help of one of his friends that had could refine the writing. From going back and forth, they were able to create our new Wildcat Pledge that kept the original idea but made it timeless. The pledge also incorporates the character words students and staff are recognized for each month, connecting it to the traditions that are already present at NSHS.
The Meaning
“Together, we rise. Together, we thrive…I wanted everyone to feel like they were a part of Ninety Six High School and they had a place to be,” a quote from Sprowl as he explained the meaning. A bigger message stands behind the pledge as it focuses in on the strength of community within the Wildcat family. It encourages students to come together in the face of adversity, and know that people around them have their back.
When the pledge is spoken, it reminds students that the belong and that they add value to the school community.When looking further into the pledge, the meaning can be found in the people around the school. It is found in the staff that provide food and maintain clean workspaces, in the teachers, that continue to show up on difficult days, and in the students themselves as they work toward building a successful future.
Together, they create a school community that exemplifies the values behind the Wildcat Pledge. Sprowl also emphasizes in the pledge how his commitment to students stands beyond just academics or test scores.“Me as the principal, that I’m here to help you and that even if you’re having a bad day it didn’t have to turn into two bad days,” Sprowl said, “You can have a bad day and come back the next day and have the best day possible.”
He says his loyalty to students reinforces the standards in place in the pledge of lifting each other up, and supporting each other.From the creation of the pledge to the message behind it, it continues to represent the culture of the Wildcat family. Including the important principles of respect, integrity, strength and excellence that promote a student’s character and unity. So for the final time, “Together, we rise. Together, we thrive. We are Wildcats.”
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