Parents just want to have a little fun, show support for children
By DAWNE LEIKER
Some people encourage their kids to participate in high school activities to gain life-long friends. A group of Hays High School folks have discovered this strategy isn't just kid stuff, it's for parents, too.
An exuberant group of 18 HHS seniors' parents met in the high school parking lot Friday night for a "last hurrah," a limousine ride to the final out-of-town basketball game of the season in Great Bend.
The group rented a Hummer 20-passenger limo from Greater Kansas Limo Service to celebrate not just this sports season, but seasons dating back to their kids' elementary school days.
"This senior group of guys have played traveling ball together since they were little," said Stephanie Niernberger, "they just have a great chemistry.
"They're so supportive of each other and love playing together," she added.
"It's going to be fun," said Barb Neuhauser, "We've all been together ... some since kindergarten. You know how it is when you have kids."
When their children were in middle school, this group of parents began to build camaraderie through tailgating parties.
"We like to eat ... and we've tailgated so long that we stay in touch year after year," said Cathy Pfannenstiel, whose membership is unique in that she's the mother of the only girl in the senior kids' group.
Besides including parents of basketball players and a cheerleader, the group includes parents of band members, football players and track participants.
"No matter what activity, we support them," Niernberger said.
Before boarding the limo, the group stopped for photos. Moms dressed in pink shirts and dads in pink bow ties with black T-shirts pulled over pink long john shirts bantered with one another shouting "suck it in," and other jibes.
The HHS rivalry with Great Bend would be put aside for a time at Friday's game, as Great Bend's student council had sponsored a "Pink Out" event for the evening's game.
"With the rivalry between us, it's nice to be doing something that joins us." said Corina Beam, HHS teacher.
Outside the limo, the group posed with posters that summed up their celebration, "Parents just want to have fun," and "4 Years together and memories made together -- Priceless -- Go Indians beat the Panthers."