The school teamed up with Legacy to host a cookout competition in the parking lot of Newsom Stadium before the homecoming game this past Friday.

“(The tailgate) was really a chance to mingle with other staff members and our community and the community of Legacy,” Counselor Charles Breen. “It was fun to get to know each other a little bit more.”

The money raised from the cook-out is going toward a scholarship fund for one student from both campuses.

“I always enjoy giving (to a good purpose),” senior Jasmine Austin said. “Knowing that it was for a good cause, (made me want) to go.”

Senior Payton Dukes said the cookout helped promote unity between the schools.

“It was an atmosphere I couldn’t explain,” she said. “Coming together to celebrate was something I absolutely loved.”

The winner of the cookout, Legacy, received “The Pink Spatula” trophy.

“It was a fun idea from Legacy last year when we did it for Breast Cancer Awareness (BCA) Month,” Assistant Principal Andrew Marsh said. “(The Pink Spatula) went to the winner as bragging rights, not just something to hang up.”

Breen said the competition was based on who had the best seasoned chicken

“(The crowd and judges) ranked who had the better food,” he said. “We prepared chicken, which we also did last year. We definitely had the better chicken.”

Marsh said planning the event wasn’t easy, but the turn out made it worth it.

“It’s always a lot of hard work; it takes many people to try to contact businesses for (scholarship) donations,” he said. “There’s always so much going on, but it was definitely a great experience.”