Lincoln-Way North Hosts Black and Gold Night

Lincoln-Way North High School will celebrate the start of another school year with a Black and Gold Community Night at the school Friday, Aug. 19.

“Each year we look forward to the opportunity to bring our community together to celebrate and recognize the students who work so hard throughout the year to accomplish so much in our schools,” said Principal Michael Gardner.

The school’s marching band, cheerleaders, poms and fall athletes will participate the event, giving community members an opportunity to celebrate the start of the 2011-2012 school year.

Lincoln-Way East High School will host a Black and Blue Scrimmage the same night, featuring the schools freshman, sophomore and varsity football teams as well as the school’s cheerleaders and poms at 5 p.m.

The Lincoln-Way East Marching Griffins will perform the following week during an ice cream social at the school at 7 p.m. Aug. 27.

“The entire community can be proud of the opportunities that our school provides,” stated Matthew Lyke, the athletic director at Lincoln-Way North. “We created Black and Gold Night to recognize all of our fall programs for their commitment and dedication. We truly appreciate the support of our Athletic Booster Club, Music Booster Club, and parents.”

More than 1,000 residents are expected to gather in the school’s athletic stadium at 6 p.m. to hear the Marching Phoenix perform, see the cheerleaders and poms execute new routines and cheer on the fall athletes as they stroll across the field during a recognition ceremony.

This is the fourth year Lincoln-Way North has hosted a Black and Gold Community Night, giving parents and community members an opportunity to show their support for the student athletes and musicians.

The evening will begin with the school’s Madrigal Singers, led by choral instructor Christina Shoemaker, singing the National Anthem and the Marching Phoenix, led by music instructor Kirk Hickman, performing the school fight song, “Phoenix Rising.”

The Phoenix Firebirds and varsity cheerleaders will rev up the crowd further as the student athletes and their coaches prepare to file across the field as the athletic department announced them team by team.

Afterward, the Marching Phoenix will return to the field to unveil the first half of their field show. The eight-minute show will be shown in its entirety at future games and field show competitions.

Students have been practicing up to 12 hours a day to prepare for the 2011 marching season.

“Our marching bands have been working hard on new programs for the competitive season,” said Gardner. “We appreciate the opportunity to see the results.”

The Marching Phoenix will perform at the school’s first home football game on Aug. 26 when the Phoenix take on the Lincoln-Way Central Knights.

Friday’s Black and Gold Community Night begins at 6 p.m.