The student body displayed their support for Ladue athletes on Tuesday, August 24 to celebrate the success of Ladue’s sports teams and promote the fall season at Ladue’s annual Blue and White Night.
“I think Blue and White Night is important as a sports team because it brings us together as a family and let’s us show off to the other sports teams,” senior and cross country runner Olivia Jaeger said.
At Blue and White Night, each fall sports team receives the opportunity to share their accomplishments with other athletes and their supporters. Before the night officially started, the Ladue cheerleading squad performed to the band’s rendition of “Dynamite” by Taio Cruz. The poms team, which won nationals last year and is captained by seniors Brooke Hyman and Meredith Shale and junior Vivian Phung, also performed a routine to “You Make Me Feel” by Cobra Starship, featuring Sabi.
“Right off the bat, you’ve got the band coming, the cheerleaders out on the floor, the parents standing up and clapping,” athletics director Brian Garner said. “That’s what this is about, making everybody excited.
Mungai and Vetter went on to describe the numerous successes of Ladue’s athletes, including Ladue Poms’ reigning national championship. Girls cross country also attracted its largest team ever this year of 53 students, and varsity cheerleading took home two trophies while at cheerleading camp this summer. Throughout the night, Mungai and Vetter tried to make students feel more excited about the fall season through cheers and encouragement to overcome adversity.
“I think Eddie and I did really well,” Vetter said. “We were able to work off of each other.”
In order to encourage students to bond as a community, the Dad’s Club hosts a barbecue prior to Blue and White Night and the Parents Association offers blue snow-cones. Diane Patershauk, co-president of the Parents Association, said that the intention is simply to support athletes and demonstrate support.
“I think it brings spirit,” Patershauk said. “It’s a great way to bring all of the athletes together, and even kids who aren’t athletes. … Anything we can do to make it feel more like a community, I love.” #
