The large student population of Urbana High School includes many people from different backgrounds of culture, intelligence, and athleticism. A typical football game for student athletes brings their classmates together within the student section to show their support for those that are playing or performing on the field.

One can encounter many people in the stands of the student section, however, one group that has carried on throughout the senior classes of the student body is the group of boys known as the Urbanaics. For those who are unfamiliar, the Urbaniacs focus on getting the student section energetic, loud, and lead several chants.

One of the Urbaniacs, Aiden Garwood stated “I think it [being an Urbaniac] really gets everyone excited and makes everyone have fun and makes the students want to come to the games.”

The student section wouldn’t be a student section without a good turnout of the students of the high school. The entire idea behind having a section where everyone could support their team emerged from the idea of how it could impact the athletes performance and enthusiasm. The volume of the stadium and the attendance of students ultimately represents the respect and spirit one has for their school as a student.

However, the section does not only focus on the performance and support of the athletic department. The section also creates an amusing environment for the students within it. An aspect that is popular among the crowd is the theme for each individual game.

Sophomore Cora Beaver said, “I love it when there are themes for the games. It makes me want to go to the game and match with my friends!”

Along with the Urbaniacs, the “Hawkettes” are a group of girls that are the female versions of the Urbaniacs. They enjoy bringing the energy to the student section and making it a good time for everyone involved.

Nile Lowther, senior and participating Hawkette, shares a few of their responsibilities, claiming “we make the banners for the football games and hang them up before the school, we create the themes and emphasize them.”

Before the Middletown game, Lowther hosted the Hawkettes and they all created the banner together. She enjoys bonding with the girls through activities like this, and she feels that everyone had a good time.

When asked how the energy from the student section varies between grades, Lowther explains that the grades sit in order closest to the field, and the closer to the field you are, the louder everyone tends to be.

Lowther states, “The freshmen are always the quietest, but as you get closer to the front, you can notice a big increase in the energy.”

Football games can be cold and experience bad weather, but Lowther makes sure to keep the energy high regardless of the circumstances. She claims, “I keep the energy high by treating the cold and rainy games the same as I would the best ones, because the crowd often follows the energy we put out. When it’s rainy outside I bring ponchos and keep going!”

Football games are truly an exciting way to bring the classes together to share the best possible Friday Night Lights experience.

Whether you’re participating in the student section or leading it, the student section always brings the high energy and excitement that makes the football games truly special.