Each Homecoming celebration includes Thompson’s Turf war, a central event, the name comes from longtime Social Studies teacher Sandy Thompson. Thompson passed away from cancer during the summer of 2022. Thompson taught for 22 years and she was known not only for her teaching but also for her support of school spirit. To carry on her legacy, the annual powder puff game was renamed Thompson Turf War in October 2022.
The pavilion behind the cafeteria, was also named in Thompson’s legacy and was in progress before she passed. The community worked together to help make building the structure possible. Sadly, she never got to see the results and how much the students enjoy it.
Hospitality teacher McKenzey Robinson was the sponsor of this year’s game and was a student of Thompson’s. Robinson discusses the effect Thompson had on the school and how she is honored with the pavilion.
“After Ms. Thompson’s passing, the pavilion out behind the school was dedicated to her because she was all about school spirit; she wanted all the kids involved,” Robinson said.
Thompson affected so many with her actions. Atlanta Watts, Social Studies Department Chair, was just one of the few affected. Watts gives us her experience working with Thompson for 11 years.
“She was my mentor when I was a young teacher, she became my friend and then she became part of my family. I miss her humor, her friendship, and her unwavering support. She was who I looked to for advice about teaching, and about life. Her death has left a hole in my life both professionally and personally,” Watts said.
Thompson was a big supporter of students and the community, she strived to help others. The Powder Puff game was originally during the day for Homecoming spirit week. The time changed so that parents and others not part of the student-body could come to support. This change in time led to clubs being able to set up fundraisers.
Robyn Sherman, a friend and colleague of Thompson’s, is the Work Based Learning Coordinator. Sherman shares details on the time change and how the fundraising started.
“While I was still in the classroom, our brainchild was to have it at night and to pick a service group that could benefit from donations; so the first one was with the SPCA and people to gain entry to the event brought food for cats, dogs and bedding and then it progressed from there,” Sherman said.
Thompson
for clubs to have more involvement in the community. This year FCCLA fundraised, planned and ran the game
The game itself is something for all students to enjoy- players, fans, and cheerleaders alike. The student’s spirit for RCHS was a big part of Thompson’s ideals. The game itself allowed for female students to have a chance to play flag football, boys to cheer, and the fans to be entertained.
Senior Brooke Eilchelberger was a player in the game this year and tells us about why she joined.
“I joined to have fun with my friends,” Eilchelberger said.
Junior Fisher Howald gives us his experience in the game.
“I was able to be a cheerleader with some of my friends. We were just able to have a good time wearing goofy outfits and being able to learn some different cheers and dances from some of the cheerleaders and able to get the crowd going. Overall it was a good time,” Howald said.
Not only does Thompson’s legacy still live on in the game, there are also scholarships for students and funds for families if a staff or student became ill. Thompson had a lasting impact on the school, she cared deeply about the students and staff.
