By Addi Bevins
Welcome to the start of something new. This year, Louisville High School started a new opportunity to bring students and families together after home football games for a “5th Quarter.” All students are encouraged to go down to BW's Pub & Grill, the new local restaurant.
The Den (LHS’s nickname) offers all football players, cheerleaders, dance team members, and band students some free food and a time to relax with friends and family members. This is a way to encourage support of the local business and safety for any student. Years prior, many students would drive into Omaha and get some food after football games, but due to it being late after the game, it has always brought some concern to the school and many parents. Also many students didn’t have a set group to go with or a way to get there.
Activities director Kaleb Walker wanted to start 5th Quarter after starting something similar at his old school. This was a goal of his for a few years to start at Louisville. He wanted to create a way to keep all the kids safe and to show appreciation for their hard work and dedication as a Lion.
Walker said, “Just being able to see everyone come together that are all Lions… whether you're a parent, a grandparent… a family member of some sort, come down there and hang out with our kids and get to talk to them about the game or talk to them about their performance… [It]has been really cool to see.”
This whole event wouldn't be possible without the help of the owners of BW's Pub & Grill and the families that help fund it. Families' donations cover the cost of food and labor, by them staying open to almost midnight, and the time closing their restaurant early and setting up for the 5th quarter.
The entire season was funded within two hours of Walker’s Facebook post asking for sponsors. Families and businesses that have funded these events are Haecke Farm and Fleet, Home Town Team, AJ KREATIONZ (Antonio Johnson), Western National Bank, and Justin Larsen and Family.
BW's Pub & Grill Co owner and Louisville teacher Laurie Little said, “This is something Walker and I discussed for a while, but is only possible by the help of the families and their help to keep B&W’s from losing a huge amount.”
The whole environment helps many of those new students and players have somewhere to go with friends after the game and feel included. Freshman Connor Rice, a new student at Louisville High School and a football player, has gone to every 5th quarter so far with his coach and dad Mr. Scott Rice, and his brothers, who also are on the football team.
Rice said, “It’s something I can look forward to after a tough game. Even if we lose, it’s a way we can all lighten up and have the chance to just eat some food and talk and get to be with my friends and teammates.”
5th Quarter isn't going anywhere after the huge success it has been, bringing Lions together as one.