Ryan Moffett is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Higley High School for AZPreps365.com.

Despite showing its appreciation for first responders and military everyday, ALA Gilbert North displays its gratitude in a special event under the Friday night lights. 

For the past six years ALA Gilbert North has hosted a first responders appreciation night during its football season. The night brings out local firefighters, police officers and all other types of first responders and military members. 

School Athletic Director Jeff Oliverson finds the event to be a great chance to recognize all that first responders and military do for this country. It also serves as a night where Oliverson can set an example for his school’s students. 

“Being ALA, with leadership in our name, we like to find opportunities to lead by example,” said Oliverson. “ This allows us to show appreciation for all that they do in the community.” 

The special event showing thanks doesn’t happen overnight, a planning committee meets in the summer to arrange all of the event’s details. Oliverson was proud of the amount of people who wanted to help after seeing the initial planning meeting host about 20 people. 

“Our executive booster club and parents are amazing,” said Oliverson. “We couldn’t pull that type of an event off if it weren’t for all of the help we receive.” 

The event creates an atmosphere unlike many high school football games. From the drone show to the helicopter used to spotlight the coin toss, the environment transforms into something much bigger.   

The impressive drone show featured both of the team’s logos and many images representing the first responders. With the help of funding through sponsorships, 80% of the drone show’s cost was covered. 

Oliverson explained that the special night continues to get bigger because of how many people support an event like this. Food for the night was donated from a local sponsor and the school district provided fireworks. 

This particular night gets circled on the calendar for the players and teams playing because of how unique the game is. Head coach Ty Detmer believes that his players enjoy the opportunity to thank the first responders. 

“The players look forward to being a part of the show and show their support to all the military and first responders,” said Detmer. “I know they look forward to it every year!” 

While showing their appreciation to all that serve, the school also created an extra motivator for the athletes taking the field. The night brought a different energy for players like Garrett Baker. 

“The environment was exactly what I wanted,” said Baker. “ I felt super energized and amped up, and I was grateful to play in a game like that.” 

On a night that makes people step back and view life from a wider lens, Oliverson and the school do the same. The night brings many people to the game, but Oliverson isn’t worried about ticket sales. 

“We don’t really care about what it brings in financially,” said Oliverson. “We just want to show our students the sacrifice being made around you. We are unapologetic for our patriotism.”  

Oliverson uses the night to unite all grade levels at ALA Gilbert North. Elementary students opened the night by singing “One Call Away” which was followed by performances by the high school’s choir and band. 

The night encompasses everything special about the strength of community and expressing the never-ending thank you to all that serve our country.  

“It’s been a great tradition for our school,” said Detmer. “I think it’s great to be able to show appreciation to all those that help people and serve our country and being American Leadership Academy, it goes along with our values.”