Since 2004, FHC has had one of the most vital athletic traditions a school could have that JV and varsity teams alike can only hope they get to be a part of; luckily for FHC, not one but two teams got to keep the flag flying for its eighteenth consecutive year. 

“The state championship flag has been flying over Forest Hills Central since 2004 and has flown continuously for 18 years. The flag represents the pride, tradition, and excellence of Ranger athletics,” coach Brad Anderson said.

As stated above, the state championship flag has been flying in front of the high school. During the summer every year, athletes from the state-winning teams gather around the flag pole to get to raise the flag high into the air to show schools all around the state that their win goes deeper than just the title. 

After many years of flying without rest, the original flag became torn to the point that a replacement was needed, but this replacement wouldn’t be any less impressive than the old one. 

“The previous flag had fallen victim to the weather elements. When I ordered a new flag, I thought about the moment the flag was going to be raised and immediately started to plan how we could make it special,” said Kristy Swayze, the former athletic secretary.

When this time came, Swayze knew that this flag had to represent not only our school but the dedication and excellence that these teams demonstrated, hence how the flag-raising ceremony was born.

“I wondered if people passed by that flag every day and really understood the significance and the pride behind the ‘STATE CHAMPS’ flag flying continuously for so many years.  Then it hit me… we needed a ceremony and an opportunity for as many people as possible to experience the raising of the new flag. Mr. Goei and Mr. Anderson were onboard immediately and we moved forward with the planning of the ceremony,” Swayze stated. 

This event touched the community as a way of not only representing Ranger pride, but also the athletes who had this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to win it all. When asked about what this flag means to a state champion, Mac Boike, a lacrosse player from the 2022 state championship team, got to reminisce about the experience. 

“The flag raising ceremony is a moment to honor the hard work each and every athlete put in to help get the ultimate goal done. Win a state championship,” Mac said. “To raise the flag means everyone did their part. The coaches made the right decisions, the players made the right plays, and the crowd was active while the game played on in front of them. Success doesn’t always come in bunches, yet FHC had two state champions last season.” Mac concluded by saying, “That tradition is something that will be remembered for a very long time.” 

For generations to come, the state championship flag will fly as a symbol of FHC’s hard work and dedication to athletics and what it means to be a Ranger. There is no question that athletes and coaches alike will be working not only for the ring, but also to proudly raise their flag to continue the tradition.