JJust eight days into this year, Lincoln North Star hosts its annual Gatorfest. Gatorfest is a North Star tradition where students of all grades are invited to return after school to enjoy fun-filled events and learn about LNS involvement. In the Bayou, different school clubs and extracurricular activities like Student Council and FBLA set up displays to advertise what their groups have to offer. Along with clubs, sports are also present in hopes of recruiting some new faces for their teams. Teacher and coach Mr. Brian Wandzilak runs the Cross Country booth along with former North Star teacher Mitch Bern, promoting their program with videos, photos, and fellow returning runners. Wandzilak notes that Gatorfest is “good exposure” for the team since Cross Country isn’t as popular as other sports. Across the Bayou, Mrs. Alisha Chab boosts attention for Student Council with her student members. Like many other club sponsors, her advertising proves successful after leaving with a “full sheet of the names of people that were interested in joining.”
Just outside of North Star’s main entrance, the band plays throughout the evening while the cheer team and LNS Dazzlers perform. Nearby, the fun activities set up outside keep students busy all night. Gators could compete in volleyball, play cornhole, then fill up with the different food trucks when they were done. Despite all of this entertainment, the busiest attraction was the dunk tank. For just $5, students take turns dunking their favorite teachers in the ice-cold water. Even with the “frigid water and breezy weather,” dunk tank victim Wandzilak enjoys seeing familiar faces and building school spirit.
From dunk tanks to food trucks, Gatorfest is booming with students and teachers participating in community-building activities. While North Star students grow to discover their individual interests over the course of their high school career, Gatorfest rolls around each year to welcome a night of unity and celebration under school spirit for all willing to share it.
