By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
Students encouraged to show school spirit at weekend festival
Placeholder Image

Attention all high schoolers: Bring your basketball skills and school spirit this weekend to get geared up for school.

The Grady Young Foundation is holding a second annual Slam Fest competition to encourage student involvement in the community and back-to-school festivities.

The festival will involve eight high schools from Gainesville and Hall County who will play in a team ball competition, 3-point shootout, slam dunk exhibition and shooting star competition. Schools also will send members from their cheerleading squad, dance team or step team to perform a three-minute routine to show school spirit. A cash prize will be presented to the student government of the school with the most school spirit, and school supplies will be available to all.

“The Grady Young Foundation likes to do different community events to make ourselves known and help out. What better way to do that than to give a back-to-school event for the kids?” said Clarence Johnson Jr., events coordinator of the foundation. “We realize the economy is tough, so we’re doing a giveaway of shoes, bookbags and school supplies.”

Last year, Gainesville High won the 3-on-3 tournament, Flowery Branch High won the 3-point shootout and East Hall High won the slam dunk exhibition.

Johnson said the foundation expects about 400 people to attend this year’s event, a large increase from last year’s 100. The Grady Foundation is collaborating with Hall County’s United Way and the Educational Foundation and Museum of Beulah Rucker on Saturday to pull off an all-day back-to-school flow. The groups will host a back-to-school bash at the Georgia Mountains Center in the afternoon.