The Intro & The Backstory

Note: Before you keep scrolling—take a breath and grab a coffee (or something stronger). ☕️🥃

This isn't your standard update. This is a full-on exposé, full of twists, turns, and some things most of you never knew about us, the "Booster" club, and the football program. It’s long, it’s honest, and it’s a bit of a ride. I’m not fast and neither is this story—so bear with me.

Before the "Why"

Okay guys, before I get into the "why" behind me stepping down, I’d first like to thank every single one of you. I also want to explain why I was so emotional at the banquet last night—it was honestly just the sheer relief that we pulled it off.

When I first sat down as President and saw the actual numbers we would need to raise just to get the equipment, pay for the ceremonies, and cover all the things I didn't even realize we paid for—it genuinely scared me. Realizing how much of that burden we were taking off our own shoulders as parents was a huge weight to carry. Seeing those boys enjoying themselves last night made every bit of that stress worth it.

Side Note: If you have pictures from last night, please add them to the folder and share:

folder and share https://photos.app.goo.gl/wZdtRFWbDqvciHuHA

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The Backstory: "Is this a joke?"

Most of you don’t know the real story of how I ended up in this seat.

At this time last year, I had just returned from an amazing vacation in Sicily. I was sitting in the annual sports parent meeting as someone who, just six short months earlier, had been diagnosed with cancer. I’d had the surgery, hit remission, and immediately after recovery, I opened my own insurance brokerage. That trip to Italy was the one I take with my father every year to celebrate the fact that we are both still alive and cancer-free.

I was sitting there, just grateful to be in the room and thankful I had another year to enjoy my family, when they announced my name as the "Yes" for President. I didn’t even know the previous President was leaving! I looked around and said, "Is this a joke?" I hadn't even put my name in the hat!

Look—why would they choose me? I curse like a sailor, I can't hold my tongue, I've got a bit of a temper, and let’s be honest—I’m basically an HR nightmare. I was shocked, clueless, and terrified.

But then, something amazing happened: Community.

I think the only reason 13 other people stepped up to help was that they saw the genuine shock on my face. They realized a real person—a parent just like them—was about to take this on alone. Now, maybe half of those people stepped forward on their own, and I might have "dragged" the other half along with me!

But one by one, people stepped up beside me and said, "I'll help. Let me support her." I felt that to my core. I went from being scared to death to thinking, "My God, thank you... I’m not alone. We might actually be able to do this."

​To be honest, I hate the word "Booster."

I like the thought behind it—"to boost the spirit"—but I hate the name. When people hear "Booster," they think of a bunch of people with too much time on their hands looking for a title. We aren’t some elite club. We are just a group of parents pulling together so we don't get hit with massive individual bills. We get to buy in bulk and there are tax advantages and easier to get donations when you are a non profit (Which we are )

Once you get past the name and look at what we actually do? It’s a co-op of money saving, survival and love for this program. It’s about the people who do the "little" things that end up being the biggest things for these boys.

All the Pics here (see below) were taken within the last 6 months: I couldn't add them all

The Homemade Meals & Saturday Breakfasts: To the parents and companies who made sure these kids were fed, sometimes with the only home-cooked meal they’ve had in a while.

The Handy Moms & Dads: The ones who showed up with tool belts to repair what's broken, installed AC units, and tinted windows so the concession stand isn't an oven.

The Efficiency Experts & Tech Saviors: The ones figuring out how to run things with fewer volunteers and researching software to take those pesky fees away.

The Tech Saviors & Efficiency Experts: The ones researching software to run concessions right and taking those pesky fees away so we can actually watch the game.

•           ​The Grant Hunters: To the ones who don't mind researching’ a little to see if there are any grants out there we can take advantage of.

•           ​The Corporate Matchmakers: To the one looking' up companies that will pay their employees to volunteer and then donate a match to our nonprofit

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•           ​The Smart Fundraisers: To the parent looking' for ways we can do fundraisers that don't come out of the parents' pockets—makin' it even more accessible for everyone.

•           ​The Unsung Heroes: The ones doing the "boring" but vital work—I.T., accounting, and hauling Sam’s Club orders in their own cars.

The Village You Didn't Know We Had: Whether it’s the "Amazon Porches" used for deliveries or the "Media Mavens" building player portfolios, this team is built on more than just slinging nachos.

•           ​The Supply Runners: To the parents who used their own cars, gas, and time to haul Sam’s Club orders for the concession stand.

•           ​The Concession Rockstars: To the couple who constantly volunteered so we didn't have to retrain a new crew every single game.

•           ​The Loyal Donors: To the family that, no matter what, donates a huge meal every year and comes to serve it to the kids personally.

The Social Media Goddess The mom creating post for all 3 levels trying to come up with content. Creating reminders and overseeing our brand as a team online. We took it very seriously and she exceeded every expectation

The Prep Crew & Paperwork Heroes: The ones mopping floors before the season starts and the ones dropping checks at the bank so the next crew doesn't have to reinvent the wheel.

•           ​The Media Mavens: To the person doing’ logistics for Media Day and hunting’ down photographers to help our boys build their portfolios.

•           ​The Calendar Keepers: To the person updating' the calendar perfectly so every volunteer opportunity is accessible for every parent.

•           ​The Servers: To the parent who comes out to serve the boys every time, even when they’re sick or having' a hard day.

•          The Recruitment Team: Heading to middle school festivals to make sure the 8th-grade parents know about our opportunities.

•           ​The Paperwork Heroes: To the ones droppin' checks at the bank, taking' meeting' notes, and updating' files so the next crew doesn't have to reinvent the wheel.

•           The Coalition Builders: Lifting up Cheer and Band so we can all share the load.

• The Banquet Teams: To everyone who made the Freshman and JV Banquets a reality—you gave those kids a night to remember.

• JV Parents Banquet

As you can see, it wasn't just me. It was us. It is WE.

The Truth About the "Drama"

I’m not gonna lie to you—do we get a few people who are in it for the wrong reasons or who don't understand how bylaws work? Sure. There are always people looking for what a program can do for them instead of the team.

If someone’s reading this and thinks it’s about them—it might be. But we can't let those people win. The good far outweighs the drama. It’s the kindness we’ve shown each other when someone is sick or a kid needs a ride. We became a family outside of the school.

More Than Just a Club

We can't let the drama win. Out of 20 people, you might have two who are difficult. But are you never going to go outside? Never make friends? No.

What I’ve seen since I’ve been President is a group that rallies around you. They protect you. The good far outweighs the drama every single time. It’s the kindness we’ve shown each other when someone is sick; it’s the grace we’ve given each other and the lessons we’ve learned. It’s the carpooling and the banding together when a kid didn't have a ride to school or a family hit a rough spot. We became a family outside of the school walls. That is the beauty of community.

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Why I’m Stepping Down (The Senior Rule)

My son, Alex, is a Junior right now. Next year is his Senior year—the "Grand Finale." I feel very strongly that a Senior parent should not be President.

• Conflict of Interest: You shouldn't be the one deciding exactly what your own child’s senior season looks like.
• Enjoying the Moments: I want to be in the stands for every play of Alex's final year. I don't want to be stuck behind the scenes, and I don't want that for you when your time comes, either.

The Cold, Hard Truth If a parent doesn't do it, it simply doesn't happen. The school doesn’t pay for the away game meals, the banquets, the t-shirts, or the transportation costs. And the school doesn't run the concessions—they only let us borrow the building. If no Booster group shows up, that concession stand stays locked and dark. --- so it is up to us all if we want a concession stand available at the games.

My Final Ask:

I’m asking you to be one of those parents who steps up beside me. Come help support in any way you can show support. I’m not leaving you high and dry;

I’m staying on as your safety net and Mentor (if the new leaders would like) . You bring the "new energy," and I’ll provide the "experience" to make sure you succeed.

Come to the next meeting February 2nd @ 7:00 PM - Culinary Room at Poston Butte

Come find out how your specific skills can help. In ten years, our sons won't remember the scoreboard. They will remember that their community showed up for them.

🎤 Mic Drop

Alecia Henson (BAMA) PBHS Booster President, 2025 Season- I will be president and continue my duties until the vote meeting in May.