REDBIRD NEST STUDENTS RULE THE ROOST AT ALTON HIGH EVENTS

Alton High�s Largest Student Club Keeps Growing

They are not hard to spot. At numerous Alton High School athletic games and events, members of the Redbird Nest are always clad in red and make their presence known as a formidable cheering section.
The Redbird Nest is a student club that now boasts over 600 members at the high school. Started five years ago by Chris Willings, a former Alton High student-athlete, the Redbird Nest was designed to support athletic teams and instill school spirit among all students and all sports.

Students pay a $15 dollar membership fee and receive a Redbird T-shirt and a club ID card that permits them to enter all home athletic events for free. This years members have invested over $ 9,000 in their school. With classes now underway, the student group expects membership to continue to grow and school spirit to continue to rise.

This year’s club membership is expected to make the Redbird Nest the largest student group in Alton High history. Mike Brey, former AHS Athletic Director and current Assistant Principal, assisted students in getting the group organized five years ago. “I believe with this years numbers we could be looking at the largest student club in the history of the school. It shows that Alton High students really know what school spirit and school unity are all about by supporting their peers during athletic competitions., “

Alton High School principal Barb Gillian praised the students efforts, “Due to their commitment and enthusiasm, the Redbird Nest leadership expanded their membership during one week to over 600 students for the 2009-2010 school year. What we see from our students is what we would like to see from the adults in our community - a commitment and enthusiasm for academics and all AHS programs which promote self discipline and growth in our kids.”