Oakwood Students Innovate to Boost Local School Sports Attendance

Last year, three Oakwood secondary students, Riley, Zoey, and Jesse, from the class of '24, started the @oakwoodathletics Instagram account. Their goal was to boost game attendance and highlight athletic achievements. This student-led initiative offered insights into Oakwood's athletic culture and their future aspirations.

The @oakwoodathletics account was inspired by the need to increase attendance at girls' basketball games. Riley and Zoey, who had been managing the basketball teams since 10th grade, noticed a lack of awareness about game schedules. They aimed to create a platform for easy access to this information. Jesse's designs, particularly after Media Day, added appeal to the account. This initiative engaged the school community and boosted athletes' morale.

Zoey saw the account as a new opportunity for the school. When Steve Smith suggested adding Jesse for his design skills, the team was complete. Jesse, a novice in design, spent considerable time learning Photoshop. He found joy in creating graphics for all sports.

When the account was created, the only other official Oakwood Instagram account was @oakwoodstories. The students had to learn how to manage an official student-led account, a new concept for Oakwood. They had to balance this initiative with their academic and sports commitments. Steve Smith ensured that this initiative did not interfere with their other responsibilities.

The students faced challenges in running the account. They initially struggled to get pictures and had to ask photographers to attend games. This led to the creation of more organic content and the introduction of Media Day. They also had difficulties managing their time and ensuring timely updates. As a student-run account, they faced criticism for mistakes. Despite these challenges, the students remained dedicated to their mission of increasing game attendance and showcasing athletic excellence.

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