The IHSA is embarking on a three-day social media campaign from May 14-16 to celebrate the end of the 2019-20 school year amidst the significant impact COVID-19 has placed on Illinois High School Association teams and students. Despite challenges, COUNTRY Financial, an official corporate sponsor, recognizes the commitments of each school community throughout the entire year and is pleased to assist the IHSA in making sure those efforts do not go unnoticed.
Utilizing the slogan #WeAreInThisTogether, the campaign aims to unify participants statewide via recognition of student-athletes, educators, and the senior class of 2020.
“This is a time of year to celebrate, even among these extraordinary circumstances,” said IHSA Executive Director Craig Anderson. “We want to come together as a statewide high school community to let each of these groups know that we recognize their efforts and accomplishments. No matter what happens, we are in this together.”
Each of the three days will have its own theme aimed at recognizing athletes, educators, and finally, the seniors in the class of 2020:
THURSDAY, MAY 14 - TOGETHER FOR ATHLETES
America’s Original March Madness came to a sudden conclusion this year, as the 2020 IHSA Boys Basketball State Finals were unable to be played, and the IHSA’s spring sports eventually suffered the same fate. We encourage all high school teams, coaches, parents, fans, and athletes to post pictures and share memories from their high school sports experiences on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. In addition, the IHSA will recognize the eight schools (Aurora Christian, Goreville, Madison, Roanoke-Benson, Breese Mater Dei, Chicago Orr, Timothy Christian, and Sacred Heart-Griffin) who qualified for the 2020 COUNTRY Financial IHSA Boys Basketball Class 1A and Class 2A State Finals.
FRIDAY, MAY 15 – TOGETHER FOR EDUCATORS
Educators around the state have gone the extra mile in working with their students digitally over the past two months. On Friday night, when over 400 IHSA schools are expected to turn on the lights at their schools and athletic complexes for the “Lights for the Fight” initiative, we are asking students and community members to brighten social media with their own thanks to all the teachers and coaches who have helped light their path. Lights For The Fight is about honoring first responders and essential workers, so we encourage recognition for those brave individuals, who like educators, are inspiring in their efforts to put others first.
SATURDAY, MAY 16 - TOGETHER FOR SENIORS
The IHSA was scheduled to crown its first state champions of the spring on May 16th, a celebration of achievement that would have repeated each Saturday through mid-June. The culmination of a high school season is extra special for our seniors, as they leave their leadership and legacy behind to their underclass teammates. Senior student-athletes are encouraged to post a picture of themselves on social media in their uniform, favorite school apparel, or the IHSA Student Advisory Committee’s Salute to Seniors shirts. We hope communities at large will post on social media in support of their seniors, recalling their favorite memories and the impact they have had during their four years.
Over the course of the three days, the IHSA encourages anyone posting on social media to use the hashtags #WeAreInThisTogether and #IHSA, so we can find and share your stories.
