Oak Grove highlights esports, wrestling, yarn club and marching band plan as district approves trip logistics

Oak Grove R-VI school officials used the March 11 board meeting to highlight extracurricular accomplishments and after-school programming, praising student competitors in esports and wrestling, spotlighting a middle-school yarn club and outlining plans for the high school marching band's upcoming Chicago trip.

An unnamed Oak Grove staff member introduced achievements at Oak Grove High School and praised the first-year esports head coach, Miles Hodson. He singled out players including James Ross, Ellis Bowen and John Freeman for contributions across Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, Mario Kart and Pokemon Unite competition. The presenter also announced that seven wrestlers qualified for state competition this year and that four were state medalists, naming Cale Martin (46-? record, district champion, sixth place at state at 106), Perry Morgan (41-4, district champion, third place at state at 113), Lauren Phillips (56-? record, three-time state qualifier and medalist, third place this year) and Eva Alexander (32-9, two-time state qualifier and medalist, fourth place this year).

During the meeting, boosters and staff described the marching band's accepted invitation to perform in the Chicago Thanksgiving Day Parade. Presenters described potential itinerary stops (Field Museum, Shedd Aquarium, Millennium Park, Willis Tower Skydeck), an anticipated parade route of about 0.8 miles and an expected total walking distance for students of roughly 3 miles once travel to and from the performance site is counted. Organizers said they plan to offer a three-installment payment schedule beginning in May and optional fundraisers to assist students who need financial support; final cost per student was not specified.

At the middle-school level, Hannah Gieske (yarn-club sponsor) and Nancy O'Keefe presented the yarn club, saying it grew from six students at its first meeting to more than 30 and that the club provides yarn and hooks so students do not need to buy supplies before learning the craft. Student participant Ella McGee told the board, "Yarn Club is like really fun because like after school you get to like hang out with your friends and just like chill out. It's like really good vibes there." Leaders said the club has received community donations of more than 200 skeins of yarn and more than 20 sets of hooks.

Coaches and volunteers were also recognized: wrestling coaches Mike Phillips (girls), Jamie Scully (boys) and volunteer assistants including Jesse Harris and JC Alexander were thanked for their work building programs.

Ending: The board approved the marching band's out-of-state venture later in the meeting and encouraged community support for fundraisers and payment plans to reduce barriers for students.