RUHS’s new athletic director, Jamie Kinnarney, is enthusiastic about promoting school spirit. (Provided) Since the beginning of the school year Randolph Union High School has seen the addition of several new clubs, ranging in interest from snowboarding, bowling, and indoor track and field, to knitting and crafts. Much of this change in extracurricular activities can be attributed to the arrival of the new athletic director, Jamie Kinnarney, and fresh staff, including teachers who have volunteered to be mentors and advisors.

Raised in South Royalton, Kinnarney said his fresh perspective on school pride and enthusiasm— captured by his trademark expression, “Are you fired up!?”—has breathed fresh life into Randolph’s extracurricular programs, such as captain’s counsel, indoor track and field, bowling, skiing and snowboard, and the craft club.

Kinnarney has decided to not only instill this newfound passion and spirit in the school community, but has also decided to branch out into the greater Randolph/ Brookfield/ Braintree community with such events as the Galloping Ghost Pride event this Saturday, Feb. 18.

Kinnarney derives his love for school spirit and pride from his upbringing in the tight-knit community of South Royalton. To him, school spirit is about students being able to walk through the doors of their high school and be proud to be a Galloping Ghost, whether they play on teams or participate in other aspects of the school. He wants to bring the school and town together in the same fashion he remembers from his years in high school in South Royalton. Furthermore, he is hoping that raising camaraderie and morale in the school will also help with student achievement.

Kinnarney believes that the foundation of learning and academic achievement is a school culture “where students feel safe, feel trust, are willing to take risks.” He believes student activities have an essential part to play in creating a healthy school culture.

When posed with the question of how to impact and raise school spirit, Kinnarney’s response was simple, yet sincere, “Go to games! Paint yourself blue! Get involved! Whether it’s through band, drama, sports, or other clubs, we need to show school spirit! Students should come to school proud to be a Galloping Ghost.”

Kinnarney has worked nonstop since the beginning of the school year to improve morale. He kickedstarted the year with a school-wide spirit assembly, followed that same evening with a fall pep-rally. This weekend, there will be the Galloping Ghost Pride event, which will include four basketball games and demonstrations of the gymnastic team’s abilities. The festivities start at 1 p.m. and will conclude with fireworks in the evening; refreshments will be available.

After being interviewed for this article, and before stepping out of his office located across the hall from the senior high gym—Kinnarney bellowed a proud and robust, “Go Ghosts!”

This article was written by Cecile Smith, and Erin Biedler, writers for the RUHS Journalism Club, and Simone Arnold, the club’s editor in chief.