Junior Chelsea Mahloch is a two-sport athlete, a member of the junior class board and National Honors Society, and a reporter for the North Howler. 

On the varsity girls golf team, Mahloch participates in a quiet sport with no student attendance. The lack of students at golf events often derives from the distance of their meets and their timing during school hours.

The vacancy of support for golf is where Mahloch’s frustration with the Elkhorn North student body began. 

Mahloch published the article, “Silence of the Pack” on the first of February. With numerous reads and comments from both parents and students, the story gained attention and traction. 

“The article is very impactful and real because the only people who show up to games are family and friends,” sophomore Meghan Coe said. 

Mahloch ended the column encouraging students to show out for the Friday, Feb. 9th basketball games against Norris, the last regular season home games. 

Mahloch’s call to action reached students in all grade levels, resulting in a turnout of over 100 students. The energy of a student section reaches further than the stands and impacts players as well. 

“Norris was very good, but it was almost like our boys didn’t know how to play in front of a student section because it hasn’t been packed like that before,” head coach Andy King said.

Other groups came out to support Mahloch, Student Council provided coupons to the concession stand for the first 100 students to arrive; the boys basketball booster program handed out “Northside” shirts for the first 50 students in the wolf den. 

“The student’s support definitely has a positive effect on the speed and level of play, as well as our overall performance,” sophomore basketball player Kade Foy said. 

Mahloch’s article is beginning to rebuild the foundation for Elkhorn North school spirit. 

“The bigger the student section, the more energy,” freshman Kailey Lake said. “The more energy the better we play.”