Homecoming for the Great Bend Panthers is Friday.  The varsity football team will play Dodge City, and all week long students are showing their spirit with daily spirit activities.
Thursday, Great Bend parents will host a bonfire in anticipation of the game, simply for the fun of it.  The bonfire takes the place of the homecoming dance tradition, which became less and less popular in recent years.  That’s because students are involved in many activities and sports, and they take it seriously.  That’s something we can all be proud of.  They make a point of being rested and prepared for their games or competitions that inevitably happen over the weekend.  
The teams deserve our support, not simply because we like watching sports or attending debates, etc., but because they represent us when they are on the road, riding in buses that proclaim they are from Great Bend and wearing Great Bend uniforms.  They are part of our brand.   
A great way to show support for the team is to wear their colors on game days, turn out for the homecoming parade Friday afternoon, and most important, attend the games.  There’s nothing more heartening than to look up in the stands and see them full of familiar faces.  
Another great way to show support is through the school booster club.  Due to changes in enrollment procedures this year, membership is significantly down, but it’s not too late to remedy the situation.  Memberships are always available, the cost is minimal, and the money raised goes back to students and the athletic and activities programs of the school.  
Friday is black and red day.  Wear the colors, and if you can do anything more in your businesses to let the world know we support our Panthers, than do it.  Now let’s go show Dodge our Panthers mean business!