Dear Harbinger Editor,

As a senior in the thick of college applications, first term grades, and the numerous other stressors that plague us, there have been few things about school recently that are able to boost my spirits, but interim athletic director Fran Whitten and all the positivity he has brought to Algonquin is one of them.

Mr. Whitten’s connection to the school has not only contributed to this year’s smooth start, but it has also brought to Algonquin an intensified sense of school spirit and support among students.  Mr. Whitten said that he wasn’t looking to drastically change athletics at the school, but the small things he has done have made such a difference.  He revamped the athletic council and created “Code Tomahawk,” a friendly competition between all the sports teams to try and attend the most games of other teams.  The boost in school spirit is visible in the increase in attendance at sporting events and in the intangible support teams now have for each other.  The athletic program isn’t so much a group of individual teams anymore, but one community of athletes that care about Algonquin and what it means to be a T-hawk.

Though Mr. Whitten is only temporary, perhaps he could serve as a mentor of sorts to the next athletic director because his love for sports and the school is something that should continue and be recognized and appreciated by every T-hawk.

Emily Cimino