Morris School District honors fall athletes and student service projects

The Morris School District Board of Education opened its December meeting by recognizing fall athletic teams, their coaches and families, and by hearing student‑body reports on recent service and fundraising efforts.

Director of Athletics Mr Horton introduced the evening’s format and coaches gave brief season summaries. Coach Cil, speaking for cross‑country, highlighted a large group of hardworking freshmen and named athletes who earned All‑Conference honors. The football coach noted a 4–6 season but continued playoff appearances and listed 18 seniors the program will graduate. Coaches for boys soccer, girls soccer, tennis, field hockey and volleyball recounted milestone seasons, conference championships, individual county and state honors, and senior leadership the programs will lose to graduation.

Student leaders followed. Isabella Master Mano reported that the student council’s No‑Shave November fundraiser exceeded its $1,300 goal and the group completed a holiday gift drive; junior board liaison Garrett Gregor said students collected about 50 turkeys for the school’s turkey drive and raised roughly $1,500 for a cancer fundraiser. Both students described spirit‑week activities and upcoming music and theater concerts.

Coaches and board members emphasized community support: "we're very thankful for their energy," Mr Horton said, while a coach described the home‑field advantage provided by night games under the lights. The board paused for photos and invited families to offer personal congratulations during a brief recess.

The recognition and student reports were followed by routine business and committee updates later in the meeting. The board will hold its reorganization meeting in early January.