School spirit, community pride reignited

KELLOGG — A homecoming tradition will be making its way back to Kellogg High School this year, as the school plans to have a homecoming bonfire next week that will be open to the community.

Due to low attendance numbers and exceptional heat that made the fire a potential forest fire hazard, the event had been skipped altogether over the past few years.

Reigniting an old tradition and bringing the community into the fold was part of the Kellogg High School leadership class’s plan to fix the attendance and hopefully inspire some Wildcats of years past to show their school spirit.

“The students really wanted to have a bonfire this year, but we haven't had one in the last couple years because of low attendance,” KHS leadership teacher Kelton Enich said. “We are opening the bonfire up to the community this year in hopes we can rekindle the Kellogg tradition that so many alumni remember from high school.”

Last week the local fire department approved the bonfire, which was just one of the hurdles the student-led leadership class had to overcome to make sure the event would happen.

“We did have to jump through a few hoops in order to have the fire,” Enich said. “We contacted the fire department and waited over a week to ensure the fire restrictions would be lifted by that time. We've also organized having a fire truck, fire crew, police staff and teacher chaperones present. Our class is still working on the logistics of cheer competitions, class songs, games and concessions, but we'll have more information on that as we get closer.”

The bonfire will also have an educational benefit to it, as Dan Smith with the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality will provide the dry wood supply to ensure a clean burn; as well as educate the attendees on how to correctly build a safe, clean burning bonfire.

With Smith and IDEQ providing the wood, there is no need for any wood donations from the community.

"The information I'm sharing is pretty simple. It basically applies to any outdoor fire whether it's a working campfire or a decorative fire in a backyard fire pit," Smith said. "A big festive fire can be a blast, but it requires more thought than most folks realize."

The bonfire will be open to the public, but they ask that all children are accompanied by an adult.

“It should be great,” Enich said. “We hope that we can get the whole community involved in something that has been a traditional staple in Wildcat Homecoming Week.”

The Kellogg High School homecoming bonfire is scheduled for Monday, Oct. 1, at 7 p.m. at Kellogg High School.