For the second year in a row, Glenn High School has created a Texas-sized mum to generate school spirit during homecoming and football season. This year’s mum is 20 feet long, hangs in the Union and was made by Kristie Rickard, the attendance clerk at Glenn. 

The idea to create such a large mum stemmed from wanting to create a special tradition at Glenn High School, the newest high school in Leander ISD. “It’s a way to unite us all here at Glenn and have some fun,” Rickard said. “Last year the mum was 10 feet long. It became a campus ‘thing’ and it made the students happy every day. They took picture after picture. This year, I made it bigger so we can keep adding to it.” 

Rickard says that the mum is just one way she encourages students to attend school. “Attendance means everything to me. I like to encourage the kids to come to school and for them to know that, while we’re a fun, safe place, we also mean business.” 

While Rickard was the one who created the mum, she recognizes that encouraging school spirit and creating the Glenn Grizzly culture is a team effort. “Mr. Haug, our new principal, means the world to us,” Rickard said. “He’s made such a huge, positive impact on this campus.” 

Glenn High School also has brand new cheer coaches this year, who have moved the needle in terms of school spirit. “Coach Katie Kucera and Coach Kristeen Hicks have jumped right in and worked very hard to unite our community and bring our school culture and spirit to the top,” said Jennifer Ligori, Glenn High School cheer booster president. “They are a phenomenal addition to our program!”

Although Glenn High School’s homecoming has passed, Rickard says the students don’t want the mum to come down. The plan is to leave it up until the end of football season. It will then be stored away until June of next year when Rickard plans to invite students to add to the mum in advance of homecoming in the fall. “It’s a positive movement,” Rickard said. “At the end of the day, it is about our students and the memories they create here at Glenn knowing they have a strong community supporting them.”