Homecoming Spirits honor community, tradition of Jersey Community High School
By Aaron Ottis
The Jersey County Star
JERSEYVILLE – One of Jersey Community High School’s longest running traditions added another member to the fraternity Friday night at Donald W. Snyders Sports Complex.

Keith Norman, a member of the 1983 JCHS football team, was named the 2008 JCHS Spirit. He will represent his class over the next year.

“It is a great honor to be associated with this group of individuals, and to be selected from a group of very talented men,” Norman said. “Being named the Spirit is just another reason that I am proud to be a member of this community.”

The tradition of naming a Spirit began in 1954. It is based on the famous ‘Veiled Prophet’ of St. Louis. The Veiled Prophet leads the VP Parade. Jersey began naming a Spirit in 1954 with Dennis East holding the inaugural position. The tradition is now in its fifty-fourth year.

“The Spirit has a lot of meaning to our community,” said Stu Trask, Spirit of 1995. “The Spirit is a former player, and after 25 years you are voted on by the Spirits and elected into the organization. This all happens by a vote.”

Trask said the organization looks for certain qualities in a potential new Spirit, including high moral fiber, community involvement and good ethics.

“Those are the things that associate with the Spirit,” Trask said. “With those characteristics, you are elected into the organization and become a member of this great tradition. As these students come through, these current players, they can see that there is an opportunity to join with a group that promotes our community.”

Ken Schell, who served as the Spirit of 1998, said it might be tough for the current students to recognize the immensity of this tradition.

“Back when I was in school, you really did not think a lot about it,” Schell explained. “You just felt like you were getting ready for a football game and there happened to be a ceremony that the school district was putting on. You didn’t really give it much thought. Buzz Davis was the Spirit when I was a senior at JCHS. You may not have paid a lot of attention at the time, but you had respect for the Spirit. You know that the Spirit had to be a decent football player, but also go beyond what the normal athlete might do back then. It is truly an honor to be the Spirit.”

Schell said it is important to know that the Spirit wasn’t necessarily the best football player on the team. The Spirit is also a citizen that has invested in the community to help make Jersey County a better place, and provides the current football players a positive role model.

Mark Goetten served as the Spirit of 1997, and he agreed that having a positive role model for the youth of Jersey County is one of the best uses for the Spirit.

“I just think it is great for the kids to come out here and see what our organization is about,” Goetten said. “It gives them something to look forward to after their playing days are over. Stay out of trouble, stay clean and do the best they can while they are in school. When they get out of school, get involved in the community through volunteering or coaching young kids in football, soccer, baseball, whatever they choose. Those good deeds will pay off.”

1983 JCHS graduate Keith Norman was named the 2008 Spirit during Homecoming. Aaron Ottis/thejcstar.com