Rhonda Pool, faithful supporter of L-S students, is shown at a 2024 Fifth Quarter surrounded by the happy students. Pool is on a quest to keep the fun tradition going at L-S, and is looking for help for the 2025 season.
A heart for youth and a desire to keep a positive tradition going has spurred Rhonda Pool of Sully into action as the high school football season nears. Pool has organized Fifth Quarter celebrations following Lynnville-Sully home football games and kept them going with her faithful Heart of Worship team for the past 10 years. It’s a continuation of a tradition she and her husband Tom started in their hometown of New Sharon decades ago. Last football season after 10 years of serving as the organizational leader, friendly face, and welcoming hug of Lynnville-Sully Fifth Quarters, Pool was ready to retire from her side gig of serving students in grades 7-12 on Friday nights.
Pool had little luck after months of searching for a team to take over the popular Fifth Quarter events that draw well over 100 students each Friday. Determined to keep the positive tradition going, Pool pulled herself out of retirement, recently made a Sam’s Club run for supplies, and got the ball rolling to keep Fifth Quarters on the calendar.
“It’s been going on for 10 years, and these kids love and appreciate this,” said Pool of the Fifth Quarter parties, which include food, fun games, and a lot of laughs and camaraderie in a safe environment for a couple of hours after each home football game.
Pool and members of Heart of Worship, where Tom serves as pastor, plan to take care of the first Fifth Quarter following the Hawks’ home season opener on Friday, Aug. 29. Pool has reached out for help from other churches within the community to keep the Fifth Quarters going for the Sept. 19 (Homecoming), Oct. 3, and Oct. 17 games, and she’s had some positive response from area churches. “There are ongoing plans being made right now to keep the L-S Fifth Quarters going for every 7-12 grade student! We are hoping every church in our community will be able to host one game,” said Pool. “It’s been an honor and I have loved supporting our L-S students for the past 10 years. “Let’s go for 11 years of keeping this amazing event going and celebrating our students, football team, and cheerleaders!”
Pool encourages anyone interested in hosting to reach out to her at 641-780-3022.
