By: Jessica Powers
This year, our volunteers have played a vital role in supporting Jefferson High School athletics and strengthening school spirit. A dedicated group of parents came together to revive the Jefferson High School Booster Club, which had been dormant since COVID. Seeing the potential within the Jefferson J-Hawk community, they worked diligently to bring renewed energy and support to our programs. Officially reestablished in December 2025, the Booster Club is led by four executive board members—Chris Powers (President), Lisa Schmidt (Vice President), Jessica Powers (Treasurer), and Jennifer Gonzalez (Secretary). Through careful planning and collaboration, including regular monthly meetings with Athletic Director Zach Larson, this group has already made meaningful progress toward their goals. Throughout the winter sports season, they attended nearly every home game to sell spirit wear, helping create a vibrant and unified atmosphere while raising funds for athletics. Their efforts also shined during Girls Basketball Senior Night, where their thoughtful decorations created a memorable and celebratory experience for senior athletes and their families.
In addition to their impact during the season, the Booster Club continues to build momentum through new initiatives and community partnerships. They are currently organizing a golf outing at Swan Hills Golf Course on July 24, 2026, which will bring together alumni, parents, staff, and local businesses to raise funds for much-needed improvements to Jefferson’s athletic facilities (event details: https://JeffersonHighSchoolBoosterClubGolfOuting.eventbrite.com). They are also connecting students and families with the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois to expand awareness of local scholarship opportunities and have partnered with Fresh Printz of Loves Park to launch an online spirit wear store (shop here: https://stores.inksoft.com/jhsjhawks), giving the entire J-Hawk community more ways to show their pride. Looking ahead, the Booster Club has set ambitious goals, including purchasing a merchandise trailer, improving athletic facilities such as a new track and field throwing area and JV baseball field fencing, enhancing the school mascot, providing transportation support on the field grounds with a multi-passenger golf cart, and ultimately developing a Jefferson student-athlete scholarship program and building Jefferson's own Football/Track Stadium on the Jefferson High School Property. Their passion, vision, and commitment are already making a lasting difference, and their impact will continue to benefit Jefferson students for years to come.