Most students agree that support from their parents is key to success, and booster clubs for sports teams and the school in general are helping in every way they can.

One such club, Bear Boosters, says they dedicate themselves to making the school a better place, whether it be a new sound system in the football stadium or funding grants for robotics club. Kim Ketcham, president of the club, says Bear Boosters not only improves the school on a surface level, but helps connect the school more as well.

“Spirit wear comes from us, the activity passes come from us, any parent of Lake Zurich High School is a Bear Booster [in someway], and we would love to see more involvement from our parents [to] come and see what we’re all about,” Ketcham said. “That’s the nuts and bolts of getting all of the little extras [that help promote spirit] for the school.”

Ketcham says she does all of this organization and fundraising because it makes her feel more connected to the community. The group in general works to make the school a better place and fulfill their obligations as parents, Ketcham says.

“I love it. I love being involved in the community my kids are involved in. I like to be involved in decisions, and I like to help in any way I can. I just feel that in order for my voice to be heard, I need to be involved, and this is how I have chosen [to do that],” Ketcham said.

Ketcham is not the only parent that wants to be involved with their community, just as Bear Boosters is not the only club that provides funding for the school programs. Almost every sports team has their own booster club, allowing parents to connect more to their student athletes, according to Kara Baltes, member of an individual booster club.

“I am able to talk with other moms, and it’s really important because unity from the parents extends to unity for the team,” Baltes said. “The [student athletes] are great about sharing ideas with us, and it just makes it so we’re all one big family.”

The [athletes] on the team say that it is great having their parents fundraise and support the team. Teagan Jones, senior, says that parents show that they care through these clubs, and they make a huge impact.

“The family bonds allow us to interact with the booster club, [we can] have input on the types of fundraising and sponsorships we do,” Jones said. “The funding impacts the team in such a positive way because it allows us to do so much more together, which allows us all to bond and be a closer and stronger team.”

Parents of student athletes say that being part of booster clubs comes with a lot of appreciation from the team. Bear Boosters is trying to get similar recognition by letting students know who they are, Ketcham says.

“I think [students] greatly appreciate [the support], but I think that sometimes people don’t exactly know where this funding is coming from,” Ketcham said. “We’ve made a very big increase in communication about our accomplishments, I try to get that word out there. So I think people appreciate [the funding], but they don’t exactly know why they appreciate it or where it’s coming from.”