Wildcat Spirit Award

Recognizing WHS students, groups, and teams who embody compassion, empathy, and community.

What is the Wildcat Spirit Award?

It’s an occasional award given to a nominated WHS student, group, or team that lives out the human qualities that Alumni hope is embodied in all Waggener Wildcats.

Wildcat Spirit goes beyond grades and achievements. It’s about how we treat and relate to each other every single day – in the hallways, in the classroom, in the lunchroom, on the field. It’s choosing to see each other’s humanity and responding with kindness, compassion, empathy. Especially when no one is looking or keeping track.

Qualities We Celebrate:

COMPASSION IN ACTION
Noticing when someone needs help and offering it without being asked
Making someone feel welcome, valued, or included
Taking time to help others even when you’re busy

EMPATHY & UNDERSTANDING
Recognizing how someone else might be feeling and responding with kindness
Being patient with someone who’s struggling – whether with schoolwork, language, or personal challenges
Seeing past differences to connect with others as people

BRIDGE BUILDING
Helping someone who speaks a different language feel understood and included
Creating connections between students who might not usually interact
Making space for everyone’s voice and perspective
Turning tense moments into opportunities for understanding

GENEROUS SPIRIT
Sharing your strengths – whether that’s tutoring, translating, or just listening
Celebrating others’ successes as genuinely as your own
Giving your time and attention to make someone’s day better

Examples of Wildcat Spirit:

IN THE CLASSROOM:
Helping a classmate understand an assignment, especially if English isn’t their first language
Partnering with someone who usually gets left out during group work
Translating for a student or family member who needs support
Sharing notes or materials with someone who was absent or struggling
Encouraging a quiet student to share their ideas

IN THE HALLWAYS & COMMON SPACES:
Sitting with someone who’s eating alone at lunch
Welcoming a new student and showing them around
Standing up when you see someone being treated unfairly or left out
Picking up after others or helping keep our school community clean
Greeting staff, security, cafeteria workers, and custodians with respect and warmth

IN DAILY LIFE:
Checking in on a friend or classmate who seems upset or struggling
Helping someone carry something or hold a door without expecting thanks
Using your voice to speak up for someone who needs an advocate
Bridging language or cultural gaps by helping people understand each other
Offering encouragement to someone facing a difficult situation
Including someone in your group who’s standing on the outside

IN CHALLENGING MOMENTS:
Responding to conflict with attempts at understanding rather than escalation
Apologizing genuinely and working to make things right
Helping mediate between friends or classmates having difficulties
Showing grace when someone makes a mistake
Being the one who extends forgiveness or a second chance

We’re Looking For:

Moments when a student or team chose kindness over convenience, connection over cliques, or compassion over indifference. Times when they made someone feel seen, heard, valued, or included – especially someone who might often feel invisible or alone.

What is awarded?

If selected, a group or team will be awarded with some sort of celebration, like a pizza party or ice-cream party.

An individual will receive a $50 Amazon Gift Card or something equivalent of their choosing.

How to nominate?

If you have witnessed an indvidual, group, or team demonstrating noteworthy Wildcat Spirit – let us know by using this nomination form.

If the form is not suitable for any reason, please feel free to email Dave Campbell (daveccampbell@gmail.com) directly.