Kirkwood “Turkey Day Countdown” 2009

The first officially recorded Thanksgiving Day football game between Kirkwood High School (KHS) and neighboring Webster Groves High School (WGHS) was held in 1907. Since then, with only a few exceptions, the two schools have met each year on the football field to compete for the “Turkey Day Championship” and the coveted Frisco Bell trophy. More than just a football game, Turkey Day has become a celebration of spirit and pride for both communities.

In anticipation of the 2009 Turkey Day Game, KHS students and alumni begin the “Turkey Day Game” countdown in November with special activities throughout the month and during Spirit Week, Nov. 23-27.

Student Council Football Sales for Muscular Dystrophy Association

—Oct. 21 through Nov. 24 throughout KHS
The KHS Student Council sponsors a friendly competition between KHS and WGHS students to see which school can raise the most funds for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. Student Council members at both schools sell paper MDA footballs for $1 for several weeks before the big Turkey Day Game. The high school that raises the most money is announced during halftime at the Turkey Day Game. In addition to the competition between the two high schools, the grade levels at KHS compete. The grade-level winner receives a trophy during the Turkey Day Pep Assembly held in the KHS Varsity Gym on Spirit Day.

Kirkwood Youth Service Canned Food Drive

—Nov. 12 through Dec. 10 throughout KHS
The Kirkwood Youth Service Club (KYS) kicks off their fourth annual canned food drive in competition with Webster Groves during November. KYS students donate their collection in December to KirkCare, a local food pantry that serves families in the Kirkwood School District. The start of the food drive competition between the two schools adds to the excitement of Turkey Day.

KHS and WGHS Friendship Dance

—Saturday, Nov. 14, 8-11 p.m. at Webster Groves High School
The traditional Kirkwood and Webster Groves High Schools Friendship Dance is held at the high school not hosting the Turkey Day Game, which is Webster Groves for 2009. The dance provides an opportunity for students from the two schools to meet and celebrate together before the big game. Each school names a Friendship Court and selects a “Friendship Queen and King” from the court.

3rd Annual Kirkwood/Webster Virtual Turkey Bowl

—Wednesday, Nov. 18, 5:30 p.m. at KHS
The Kirkwood High School DECA club for students enrolled in marketing classes will sponsor their third annual “Kirkwood/Webster Virtual Turkey Bowl” on Wed., Nov. 18, from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. in the cafeteria and the Walker Commons area of Kirkwood High School. Students from both Kirkwood and Webster Groves high schools are invited to participate in the Virtual Turkey Day Bowl for a $5 admission fee. KHS DECA members organize the tournament as part of an event-marketing project in their classes. They contribute all proceeds from admission and concessions to a charity, which this year is the Muscular Dystrophy Association. The students recreate the actual 2009 Kirkwood and Webster Groves high school football teams including accurate team rosters, player appearances and statistics using an Xbox 360 Madden 09 NFL video game. After single-elimination tournament play, the top Kirkwood gamer battles the top Webster gamer for the title of Virtual Turkey Bowl Champion. The winning school will be awarded the “Frisco Bowl” trophy, a mounted inverted bell that is a take-off on the actual “Frisco Bell,” the large, bronze railroad bell awarded to the school that wins the Turkey Day football game. To register for the Virtual Turkey Bowl game, please contact Bryce Bunton at 314-213-6100, ext. 1405, or visit www.kirkwooddeca.com. 

Webster Groves-Kirkwood Adult Friendship Dance

—Saturday, Nov. 21 at Sunset Country Club
Held at the Sunset Country Club, this event was established in 2006 in honor of the Friendship Dance tradition that began between students of the Webster Groves and Kirkwood high schools decades ago.  It also celebrates the Turkey Day Football Game. Tickets for the dance are $75 per person or $150 per couple and include dinner and entertainment by The Fabulous Motown Revue. RSVP by Nov. 7.  For more information or to purchase tickets visit www.thefriendshipdance.com.

KHS SPIRIT WEEK – Nov. 23-27

Tacky Day and Hall Decorating

—Monday, Nov. 23, at KHS
Students and staff wear orange and black (WGHS colors) to school. From 3:30 to 9 p.m., KHS clubs and grade levels decorate the halls with spectacular displays emphasizing a Turkey Day theme and team pride.

KHS Spirit Day

—Tuesday, Nov. 24, at KHS
Students and staff wear the school colors red and white to show Kirkwood spirit and pride. Go Pioneers!

KHS Pep Assembly

—Tuesday, Nov. 24, 1:40-2:40 p.m. in KHS Varsity Gym
Students and staff gather in the KHS Varsity Gym for a mini pep rally and skits.

Kirkwood School District Foundation Turkey Day Chili Bowl Cook-Off

—Wednesday, Nov. 25, 5:30-8 p.m.
KSD Foundation will host the 13th annual Turkey Day Chili Bowl Cook-Off in the KHS Denver Miller Gym. Participants can sample chili prepared by area restaurants and vote for the best chili in town. Event sponsors include Des Peres Hospital, Frontenac Bank and Mike Duffy’s Pub and Grill.

Tickets purchased in advance are $6 for adults and $4 for students, K-12; tickets at the door are $1 more. Advance tickets are available at all KSD school offices, and the district’s central office. Proceeds from the KSDF Chili Bowl Cook-Off benefit KSD students and staff.

KHS Pep Rally and Bonfire

—Wednesday, Nov. 25, 7-9 p.m.
Pep Rally in KHS Varsity Gym (main gym) followed by traditional bonfire on the field at Chopin and Dougherty Ferry Road.

Turkey Day Football Alumni Breakfast

—Thursday, Nov. 26, 8 a.m.
KHS Pioneer football alumni and friends gather with the 2008 KHS Football Pioneer team members for breakfast in the KHS cafeteria. The KHS Football Alumni sponsor the event.

Thanksgiving Day and Turkey Day Game

—Thursday, Nov. 26, Noon at Lyons Field in Kirkwood
Kickoff for the main event—the Turkey Day Game—is at noon at Lyons Field in Kirkwood. The 2009 Football Pioneers, coached by Larry Frost, plan on victory and returning the prized Frisco Bell to KHS.

Tickets for the Turkey Day Game are on sale now in the KHS athletic office from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. for $7 in advance, or $10 at the game. Tickets are also available at the district’s central office and in elementary and middle school offices. Proceeds from advance tickets sold in the Kirkwood School District are contributed to KHS programs. Proceeds from tickets sold at the gate are divided between Kirkwood and Webster Groves. For ticket information, call the KHS Athletic Dept. at 314-213-6116.

KHS Soccer Alumni Games

—Friday, Nov. 27, 2 p.m.
All KHS soccer alumni and friends are invited to play or cheer from the sidelines in the fifth annual Coach Frank Czapla Memorial Soccer Game. The men’s game will be played on Czapla Field (upper field) and the women’s game will be played on the lower stadium field. The cost is $15 and includes a long-sleeve T-shirt. Proceeds from the games benefit all KHS soccer programs. For game and ticket information, contact Phil Cotta, KHS soccer coach, at phil.cotta@kirkwoodschools.org or by phone at 314-213-6100, ext. 1213.

KHS Water Polo Alumni Games

–Friday, Nov. 27, 3:30 p.m.
All KHS water polo alumni and friends are invited to participate in the annual Turkey Day Water Polo Game to be held at St. Louis Community College Meramec. Warms-ups are at 2:45 p.m. with the game scheduled for 3:30 p.m. To register for the game, send email to khspolo@gmail.com or call 314-822-0221.