With state math testing on the horizon, Linden High School hit pause on the pencils and picked up the pace for one unforgettable night of fun, friendship, and fierce competition.
On Thursday, May 8, the LHS Chick-fil-A Leader Academy tipped off its ๐ฎ๐ป๐ป๐๐ฎ๐น ๐ฆ๐๐๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ป๐๐ ๐๐. ๐ฆ๐๐ฎ๐ณ๐ณ ๐๐ต๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ถ๐๐ ๐๐ฎ๐๐ธ๐ฒ๐๐ฏ๐ฎ๐น๐น ๐๐ฎ๐บ๐ฒ, transforming the gymnasium into a high-energy arena of school spirit and community pride.
More than just a game, ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐ฒ๐๐ฒ๐ป๐ ๐๐ฒ๐ฟ๐๐ฒ๐ฑ ๐ฎ๐ ๐ฎ ๐ณ๐๐น๐น-๐ฐ๐ผ๐๐ฟ๐ ๐ฝ๐ฟ๐ฒ-๐๐ฒ๐๐ ๐ฝ๐ฒ๐ฝ ๐ฟ๐ฎ๐น๐น๐, rallying the Linden High family together before next weekโs academic showdown. With the bleachers packed and energy sky-high, the evening proved to be the perfect blend of motivation and celebration.
๐ฆ๐ฝ๐ถ๐ฟ๐ถ๐ ๐ผ๐ป ๐๐๐น๐น ๐๐ถ๐๐ฝ๐น๐ฎ๐
The atmosphere was electric as the Linden cheerleaders led chants that echoed through the rafters, backed by the lovable Linden Tiger and the ever-entertaining Chick-fil-A cow, both mascots working the crowd with high-fives and dance moves.
As the game unfolded, fans were treated to halftime and quarter-break performances by the Linden Recreation Departmentโs youth dance teams, whose high-energy routines brought the house down. Even the youngest audience members got in on the action with a crowd-pleasing 3-point contest.
๐ง๐ต๐ฒ ๐๐ฎ๐บ๐ฒ: ๐ฆ๐๐๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ป๐๐ ๐๐. ๐ฆ๐๐ฎ๐ณ๐ณ, ๐๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ ๐๐. ๐๐๐๐๐น๐ฒ
On the court, the action was anything but friendly. The staff team stormed to a commanding lead early, using their teamwork and, letโs be honest, years of recess basketball experience to build a 20-point advantage. But the students, unwilling to go quietly, mounted a fast-paced fourth-quarter comeback that had the crowd on its feet.
With just minutes left, the staff held onโbarelyโedging out a narrow win despite the late student surge. In the end, the scoreboard didnโt matter nearly as much as the smiles, the laughter, and the unity on display.
๐๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐๐ต๐ถ๐ฝ ๐ถ๐ป ๐๐ฐ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป
Behind the scenes, it was the LHS Chick-fil-A Leader Academy students who brought the event to life, planning and executing every detail with purpose. Proceeds from the game went to support both the academyโs leadership initiatives and a local charity, ensuring the nightโs impact would extend far beyond the gym.
โThis is what real leadership looks like,โ said Superintendent Dr. Atiya Y. Perkins, who stopped by alongside Principal Charles Koonce to show support. โOur students are learning to lead with heart, and tonight they brought the entire community together for a great cause.โ