If you walked into Italy High School cafeteria on Wednesday afternoon, you would have seen approximately 20 students listening intently on the new rules and goals of the Gold Guild (G²), the newest club at school. This club could attract any student 7th-12th grades just wanting to help make the school and community a fun place to be and adorn the school hallways and city streets with positive decorations and uplifting trim. Generally, making the scenery a little more grand.

According to the by-laws, first approved by Principal Scott Herald and Superintendent Jimmie Malone, “the purpose of this club is to promote and support the athletic, academic and special events at Italy Junior and Senior High School by providing decorations and demonstrating exemplary school pride and spirit. It is our goal to develop a sense of school pride, unity, good sportsmanship and mutual respect and to provide a positive atmosphere and opportunity for all students to be involved.”

Parent of two Italy students, Clover Stiles, and IHS teacher, Elizabeth Evans, run the group. To be apart of the G² club, a student would need to be passing (no pass, no play rule), need to fill out a membership form but also required to have 2 recommendations from an I H S teacher. And they are still looking for members. Recognizing there are still some kids wanting to participate with school activities but were not officially a member of anything, Stiles said, “Whenever I was decorating for Homecoming, there was so much to do in a short time. There was also conflict with testing that week. There were kids always stopping me and asking if they could help. These kids are interested and want to be apart and involved.”

According to Evans and Stiles anyone in grades 7th-12th could participate, as long as all the requirements are fulfilled. Even the community could get involved. Since there is no school funding, there will be fundraisers to help carry this new club and Stiles said, “We are looking for donations of extra scissors, wrapping paper, tape, poster board, paint, markers anything like that the community would like to donate.” If you would like to help the Gold Guild get started, contact Clover Stiles at 972-483-6260 or call the school at 972-483-7411 and ask for Elizabeth Evans.

Gold Guild’s first appointment is the Holiday Decoration Contest, which is a contest between grades that includes all classes at the high school. Each grade has been given a theme and they are to decorate assigned hallways:

• 7th Santa’s Workshop Way
• 8th Candy Cane Lane
• 9th Country Christmas Court
• 10th “O Christmas Tree Blvd”
• 11th “Winter Wonderland Way”
• 12th Gladiator Gold Street

This is a contest between classes and the winning grade will receive a pizza party for the entire class. Also, a secret prize for everyone-details to come. The deadline for this contest is Dec 5.

The official first meeting for the Gold Guild will be Saturday, November 29 at 9:00 am in the cafeteria. Let the decorations begin!