Cougar Boosters celebrates 50 years
For 50 years, the Cougar Boosters has been a cornerstone of support for Columbia High School (CHS) in Maplewood. Since its creation in 1974, Cougar Boosters has been dedicated to fundraising and distributing funds to enhance the school’s extracurricular programs, enriching the lives of countless students.
The state of New Jersey provides more than $25,000 per student each year, the third highest amount of school funding in the United States. Still, this basic amount is never enough to fund the myriad activities central to the Columbia High School experience. This is where Cougar Boosters steps in, providing critical financial support for clubs, sports teams and various school projects. From funding the Model UN’s trip to Yale University, bringing in programs to help students learn to write resumes, to being the largest supporter of the popular Midnight Madness postgraduation event, Cougar Boosters’ contributions are extensive and impactful.
“The funds raised by Cougar Boosters have helped student organizations and athletic teams participate in team events and club activities, present award-winning musical and theatrical performances, replace aging equipment, enter and host prestigious academic competitions, publish student writings, and enhance school and athletic facilities,” says Sara Knutsen, president of Cougar Boosters’ Executive Board.
A significant milestone in Cougar Booster’s history was the 25th anniversary of the Al Farah Golf and Tennis Classic on April 29, 2024. Al Farah, a passionate supporter of CHS, has been involved with Cougar Boosters since 1998. Farah stood on the CHS soccer teams’ sidelines in the early days, along with other dedicated parents such as Mila Jasey and Stephanie Bar Am. Farah recounts how then CHS Athletic Director Bob Curcio (from 1983-2003) approached him for help to raise more funds for the school’s teams. At that time, Cougar Boosters had a budget under $2,000, and its primary fundraising activity was soliciting money for the organization by canning at the Maplewood train station. Farah’s innovative idea of hosting a golf outing at Maplewood Country Club transformed its fundraising efforts. “We made $10,000 from the golf outing that year,” says Farah. This event has since grown, with 2024’s Classic raising a record $35,000.
Over the years, Cougar Boosters has expanded significantly. “Today, Cougar Boosters has a fabulous group of [19] parents as trustees,” says Farah. “Parents of soccer players start hanging out together when the kids are 8 years old and stay together on the sidelines for the next 10 years. By the time they reach Columbia High School, they know each other [and the teams’ needs] well.”
Janet Crane, a CHS alumna and president of the Columbia High School Alumni Association, emphasizes the community spirit of the organization. “We are a prideful and helpful group of parents and alums. Cougar Boosters tries to give to everything that comes our way,” says Crane. “We love to sit at meetings and try to give money away. We’ve given to clubs, beautification projects, the Bell Tower, Underhill Field, and the Home and School Association for things like paint and flags.”
Crane also highlights the broader mission of Cougar Boosters. “People hear ‘Booster’ and misunderstand our mission. We aren’t just about sports,” she explains. “We like to contribute to make a happy space for learning.”
Hank Zona joined Cougar Boosters more than 15 years ago when the organization had dwindled to five members. His help revitalized the group, inspiring teams to create their own booster organizations, thus allowing Cougar Boosters to focus on a wider range of groups and programs within CHS.
“When we handed the money out it was like a box of Band-Aids,” says Zona, who thought small amounts of money wouldn’t provide meaningful help. “But no one else at CHS was giving out Band-Aids.” Many organizations needed help.
“One of the early issues was that the district was not paying to insure the football program when most other schools did. The Boosters pushed the district to do this,” says Zona. ”I can tell you the same thing happened with other initiatives, like having more and readily available defibrillators. When I first posed this as a need, [the Board of Education was concerned that since it wasn’t a mandate] if pushed to fund it, it would take money away from some other worthy initiative…. Of course, that made me push it more, and with the help of Kirk Smith, who was acting principal, it happened.”
Cougar Boosters has supported 90 different CHS organizations, focusing on initiatives that have the broadest impact on the student body. Trustee Alethea Randazza notes Cougar Boosters has supported such wide-ranging projects as, “the beautification of the electric boxes outside of CHS, supporting the athletic teams with new gear, and bringing the band into the 21st century with updated technology.” Cougar Boosters trustees pride themselves on their ability to provide last-minute funds when needed most, ensuring that opportunities for students are not missed due to financial constraints.
As Cougar Boosters celebrates its 50th anniversary, the trustees are hosting a fundraising dinner at Orange Lawn Tennis Club in October. This milestone event is a testament to the organization’s enduring commitment to Columbia High School and its students. With the continued support of dedicated trustees and the community, Cougar Boosters will keep making a significant impact for many years to come.
Through tireless fundraising efforts and a deep sense of community, Cougar Boosters shows the power of collective support in enriching student experiences at Columbia High School. Cougar Boosters supports all the organizations at CHS, which is hard. The easy part is supporting Cougar Boosters. To contribute, visit CHSCougarBoosters.org.
Adrianna Donat, freelance writer and mom of two CHS grads, is happy to boost the organization that turns our community’s small change into big school spirit.
Comments