July 26, 2012

Dear Harding Family,

If you have been on the Cherry Road campus any time this summer you've noticed some dramatic changes to the front entrance. In fact, there have been workers on campus all summer long fixing and sprucing up many areas. The weight room has undergone a complete overhaul which makes ours the only one of its kind and the envy of every high school, and possibly every college, in the Mid-South. It's been exciting to see athletes from all over the city come to Cherry Road for camps and incoming seventh graders going to workshops like the Next Big Thing. Even though school is out, this campus always seems to be buzzing with activity.

Last year we kicked off a revitalization of our Booster Club and it was a huge success. But we can't stop there! Many families became involved and funds were raised to support our athletic teams. You may not have seen your contributions help in a tangible way, but they were used for things like providing buses to go places and helping teams improve their field or facility. Each sport that ran a concession stand saw proceeds from their sales go back directly into their program to fund upgrades, travel and equipment for their athletes. I am committed to continue this trend in the upcoming school year as well. We are again asking each family to help work in one of the concession stands during football games, volleyball matches, basketball and baseball games. It takes a lot of willing hands and hearts to adequately staff each of these areas, so be ready to volunteer when the call goes out for help.

Attached you'll find this year's Booster Club membership form. If you joined last year, please consider moving up one level to provide even more support for our overall athletic programs. If this will be your first time to join, we welcome you. Most levels come with at least one season pass, which is good for all home games except tournaments, as well as some extras to show your support of Harding Academy. Speaking of support, look for more news in the coming months regarding our Golf Tournament in the spring and the ways you can help. We will also be introducing some new programs to draw the Harding family closer together. All of these things will be revealed in an upcoming meeting.

You are invited to join the Harding family on Friday, August 10 for our Back 2 School Bash beginning at 6:30 in the cafeteria. Award winners from last spring's Taste of Harding, Outback Steakhouse and Scoops Ice Cream, will provide a delicious dinner and dessert. The cost is $10.00 per person (steak or chicken) and registration is online through Thursday, August 9. All fall sport teams will be introduced during the pep rally in Ellers Gym following dinner. It's going to be an exciting evening so make plans to be with us!

A table will be set up in Ellers Gym the night of the Back 2 School Bash for those who want to become members of the Booster Club this year. Different levels of membership offer varying numbers of passes based on your level of membership. Our first home football game is Friday, August 17, at 7:00 and we'd love to have you there to cheer on our Harding Lions. Nothing energizes our student-athletes like hearing the roar of the crowd as they enter the stadium and cheering their efforts on the playing field.

God has blessed me in so many ways at Harding Academy. I have life-long friends and memories of athletic seasons, chapels, and homecomings and have been blessed by getting to interact with our students now. Teachers who taught me are still here influencing the lives of children every day, and I want to be the same kind of mentor.

Will you join me in continuing to advance the mission of Harding Academy and the mission of our athletic department to be the best in Memphis? Together we can make it happen!

Go Lions!

Kevin L. Starks