While each high school has its own mascot, traditions, and identity, the Big Cat Council is focused on something the two campuses share: what it means to be part of one Frenship family.
“The Big Cat Council was created to give students a voice in shaping what school spirit and healthy competition should look like as our school community welcomed the addition of Memorial High School last year,” said Cindi Cobb, Frenship ISD Deputy Superintendent. “We recognized that we had an opportunity to be intentional about how we compete, how we support one another, and what kind of culture we want to create from the very beginning.”
The Big Cat Council was also created with the upcoming first varsity football matchup between the Frenship Tigers and Memorial Panthers in mind, but district leaders emphasized that its purpose extends beyond one game and even athletics in general.
Frenship leadership envisioned the council as a way for students to help define how the two schools challenge one another while continuing to push each other toward excellence, which could happen on a football field or basketball court, but also in theater, band, UIL academics, BPA, Academic Decathlon, or any other activity where Tigers and Panthers find themselves competing.
“While this has a fairly immediate connection to the first football game between our two high schools, we wanted a longer-term view of how the two schools could challenge and push each other to excellence, really the concept of iron sharpens iron,” said Syd Sexton, Frenship ISD Executive Director of Leadership Development.
Rather than district leadership deciding what those expectations should look like, students were asked to help build them.
During their first meeting, council members discussed the “guarantees” that should guide how Tigers and Panthers compete and represent their schools. Guest speaker Coach Kent Jackson challenged students to consider leadership on three levels: leading themselves, leading their teams, and leading their community. Jackson brought decades of experience in Texas education and athletics to the conversation, including firsthand experience with the dynamics that come with growth and new high schools.
Sexton led discussions with the group about sportsmanship, encouragement, and how they must set the standard that their campus.
For Memorial High School student Isaiah Gast, the conversation demonstrated what can happen when students from different campuses come together with an open mind.
“What I experienced today at the Big Cat Council meeting was I got to interact with people I don't really know and got to hear about their brilliant ideas,” Gast said. “I can see how people can work together with ideas when there's no negativity going on.”
Gast said the meeting also challenged him to think about how he personally demonstrates school spirit. He plans to attend more events at different levels and encourage his peers to focus their energy on supporting their own teams rather than tearing down another campus.
“I think it's important to have individuals at both campuses living as the example we want to set for Frenship because we can show how to have pride and how to be respectful to those who go to different schools,” Gast said.
Cassandra Slayton, Frenship ISD Executive Director of Secondary Education, said watching students put their ideas into practice was one of the most rewarding parts of the day.
“They collaborated, shared ideas, and discussed practical ways to encourage and build up others while carrying forward the positive culture that makes Frenship special,” Slayton said. “The energy and engagement in the room made it clear that students are excited to be a part of something bigger than themselves.”
Frenship High School student Aidon Braddock said his experience was overall positive and that the meeting made him feel more unified with the other students, especially because there were a diverse group of students represented.
“The best part of the meeting to me was the collaboration from everyone as well as the natural bond and energy present during the meeting,” Braddock said. “I think if you have multiple backgrounds, you will get a better result because of the positive representation of ALL communities.”
Braddock said bringing the two school communities together is something he hopes will show others a sense of support.
“One of the things I took away from the meeting that I want to bring back to FHS is showing up and supporting others,” Braddock said. “I believe since I am cheer captain, and now part of the Big Cat Council, I can gather students together to show support to others.”
Big Cat Council members were also entrusted with a piece of Frenship history by naming the first football matchup between Frenship High School and Memorial High School. The name will be revealed this week on our Frenship ISD social media pages.
“One of the most exciting moments was giving students the opportunity to name the rivalry game between the two high schools,” Cobb said. “The room was filled with excitement and passion as students shared ideas and realized they were helping create a new tradition that will become part of Frenship history.”
The work of the Big Cat Council is intended to reach beyond this first meeting.
“Our hope is that the Big Cat Council becomes a lasting tradition at Frenship,” Slayton said. “We look forward to seeing future groups of students carry on the work of promoting the Frenship Way and leaving a positive impact on their schools and community.”