By: Julia Effle –
LSE’s Dedicated Fan Association – better known as DFA – underwent some major leadership and structural changes this summer as way to increase involvement and promote engagement with the student body. In the past couple years, the group had been criticized over the way they chose the next year’s leaders, and the lack of females in leadership roles.
Now, instead of co-president’s, the group has a governing body of ten students – male and female. The group also has two new sponsors – Tressa TeKolste and Tim Tidball – both LSE English teachers.
Senior Ty Crandon, one of the leaders this year, is looking forward to the change and the opportunities it presents.
“It’s a lot easier to get stuff done,” said Crandon.
It’s not just the leadership roles that were altered. A lot of changes were made to improve the progress and goals of the DFA. Now there is a club which meets during 8th period on Club Day. They also want to get the student body more involved and find ways to get them excited for all of the upcoming games and events – not just the most-attended ones.
“We’ve emailed coaches of smaller sports – not just football, basketball – to ask them for dates that they would like people to come to that game. That way it feels more special,” said Crandon. “It’s hard to get people to go to games when there’s six games a week.”
While these changes to DFA may be news to you, they’ve been in the works way before this year.
“The leadership team was chosen [in] May of last spring. We met in the summer and that’s where we started working on things,” said Crandon.
Along with having ten leaders, there are now women on the leadership team – an addition that has already had positive and lasting impacts for the student body.
“It brings more of a female aspect to [the group],” said Crandon. “It’s showing how inclusive we are now and [that it’s] not just friend group to friend group getting passed down.”
Despite some changes to the group, there’s a lot that will stay the same. DFA members will still lead the student section at games and work with administration and the sponsors to plan themes and events.
But with change comes doubt and uncertainty – something that Crandon wants to do away with immediately.
“There’s a misconception that we can’t do anything anymore, but that’s not true at,” said Crandon. “We still have some fun themes planned.”
If you think you’d like to join the DFA and get involved, talk to a counselor about joining the club 8th period.
“Get to know people who are a part of the DFA,” said Crandon. ”We’re all pretty approachable.”
Photo Cred: Claire Strong –
