When Kris Halfacre stepped into the role of president of the Michigan City High School Athletic Booster Club, it wasn't just a position—it was a mission to restore a sense of pride and community that had begun to wane. In 2014 when her oldest daughter was entering high school, a lot of people were relocating to other districts. Reflecting on her journey, Halfacre recalls what initially inspired her commitment.
“At the time, I had been supporting the booster club, but I didn't exactly know what I was supporting,” Halfacre said. “I had bosses whose kids went there, and I would just think, 'Oh, there's a chili supper?!' They’d say, 'Hey, we're going to go to the game tonight!' And I would be like, 'Sure, we'll buy tickets!' or 'Oh, you're selling sweatshirts? Perfect, I'll buy one!”
However, things changed when her second daughter became a freshman.
"I realized we were losing our sense of school pride, and I wanted us to feel good about ourselves again," Halfacre said.
With a district referendum that had failed and a general sense of unrest, she was determined to ensure her younger daughter experienced the same pride her eldest had.
"I reached out to a couple of parents- It was 2014, and nobody was willing to join with me.” Halfacre shared. “I started asking around, 'Are you a member of the booster club?' Everyone's like, 'No, I don't know what it is.' I thought, how can they not know what this is?"
Fortunately, Stephanie Thomas, a colleague, stepped up to help Halfacre start a new mission with the Booster Club, just as the previous club was getting ready to disband after several years. The original booster club was formed when Elston and Rogers combined to make Michigan City High School in 1995.
“They were a core group, but their kids had all grown and graduated.” Halfacre said. “They were just doing it to do it, and someone said to me, 'Kris, now is the perfect time because they're ready to go' and I was like, 'Alright, let's do this.'"
Halfacre then reached out to Scott Heitmann and Michael Gresham, neither of whom she knew personally, and her friend Joanne, who recommended Heitmann.
"We went from not knowing what we were getting into, to now in 2024, it's hard to believe we've evolved,” Halfacre said. “Now, I have a different set of parents and a good core group that continues to keep the ball moving forward."
Halfacre’s dedication stems from her personal experiences, witnessing the exceptional work of her daughters’ teachers, mentors, and educators in the public school system.
“They're all such motivated young ladies, so I feel like that fueled me because we had such great educators and teachers that showed them the way,” Halfacre said.
Her husband attended Elston, and she attended Rogers, so she finds it hard to give up on their community. Despite negative perceptions about public schools, Halfacre believes in the power of dedicated individuals to make a positive impact.
“One thing that really makes a difference is the people who are willing to help and give the best experiences for the students,” Halfacre said.
She emphasizes the importance of collective effort, stating that even a small group of committed people can make a significant difference in supporting and uplifting the youth.
The community has witnessed the Booster Club make a significant difference in the lives of student-athletes over several years. Continuing the tradition of the previous district, the club has provided scholarships to at least 60 qualified seniors, helping them with expenses for trade schools, or universities, and their career fields. This support has been crucial in aiding their future endeavors.
Halfacre highlights the track team as a significant success story for the Booster Club. Previously overlooked by the administration and the athletic department, the team received substantial support through collaborative efforts. With the administration's approval, the Booster Club purchased new equipment, uniforms, and a shed for timing and equipment storage. This project has been one of the Booster Club’s most impactful achievements, ensuring that athletes feel good about themselves in their uniforms and can compete on par with other schools in the Duneland Athletic Conference (DAC).
“As a student, you want to feel good about yourself,” Halfacre said. “You want to wear nice uniforms to compete in the DAC with all the other schools around us.”
To Halfacre, "City Pride" means the community coming together to support local clubs, the zoo, the parks department, coaches, athletic trainers, and more. She believes in being a team player and fostering collective success, inspired by the quote "A rising tide lifts all boats." Despite the challenges, she remains positive and committed to the mission of the Booster Club. The focus has always been on doing what’s right for the kids and changing the community's perception through branding, new equipment, signage, and sprucing up facilities.
Leading the Booster Club in a small city like Michigan City has posed some challenges for Halfacre’s team, primarily due to the limited pool of resources and support. With many community organizations vying for assistance from the same group of members, there are challenges when it comes to meeting all needs and ensuring the club remains effective. The shared commitment to supporting student-athletes often means resources are stretched thin, making collaboration and creative solutions essential to overcoming these obstacles.
Halfacre has been deeply moved by the exceptional support from local businesses and community members. Notably, the Union Painters of IUPAT made a significant $5,000 donation, which had a tremendous impact on the Booster Club. She also acknowledges the La Porte County Foundation, which established an endowment fund that continues to support the club's legacy. Halfacre shared her gratitude for the dedicated members of the Booster Club, who may not always agree but work together to make decisions. Annual events like the city raffle, scheduled this year for September 27, generate crucial funds for purchasing signage, equipment, and other necessities. The smallest contributions even make quite a big difference.
Halfacre envisions the Booster Club continuing to evolve with the help of enthusiastic new members, particularly Co-president Kim Sydow, whose technological skills and positive energy are driving the club forward.
“We have some great new parents that have stepped up to the plate - I can't say enough great things about my co-president named Kim Sydow.” Halfacre said. “She has been just a positive force with so much knowledge and technology skills and she is just moving us even further into the tech-savvy world.”
Halfacre appreciates the support from other executive board members like Nicole Parry, Scott Cuma, Heitmann, and Howard Reynolds, who remain committed to the club even without children currently in the system. Their collective effort fosters a positive environment focused on making impactful decisions for the future of student-athletes.
Halfacre emphasized the rewarding and enjoyable qualities of her work with the Booster Club, despite some joking responses from colleagues about retiring from it now that her daughters have graduated. She finds fulfillment in the opportunities for improvement and the positive impact the club can have.
“It’s actually so fun most of the time,” Halfacre said. “I think because it's always rewarding and I see things that could be done or I think about things I would still like to see done.”
Her message to the community is one of enthusiasm, encouraging support for the Booster Club's mission.
Halfacre expresses her gratitude and highlights how proactive the Booster Club has been in keeping the community informed and engaged. With the help of her co-president, the club now produces a newsletter three times a year, showcasing their achievements and ongoing initiatives. They also actively promote local businesses through membership drives, providing discount cards and donation plaques to acknowledge support. By collaborating closely with school administration, the Booster Club has gained essential resources, like new scoreboards, ensuring that their contributions make a lasting impact. Halfacre’s heartfelt appreciation for the community's support reflects her commitment to enhancing the experiences of student-athletes and cultivating unity and pride within Michigan City.
As Halfacre reflects on her journey with the Michigan City High School Athletic Booster Club, her team's story illustrates the power of dedication, community spirit, and collaborative effort. From stepping into a leadership role with a mission to revitalize school pride to overcoming challenges with creativity and collaboration, Halfacre's commitment has made a lasting impact. Her gratitude for the exceptional support from local businesses, community members, and dedicated volunteers underlines the importance of unity in achieving shared goals. With passionate new members like co-president Kim Sydow driving the club forward, the Booster Club is ready to continue evolving and supporting student-athletes for years to come. Halfacre’s genuine gratitude and optimistic perspective highlight the fulfilling disposition of community engagement and the lasting impact of the Booster Club's mission.