Lee Pulaski, lpulaski@shawanoleader.com
Leader Photos by Lee Pulaski Zak Burr moves past Mackenzie Hoffman during a basketball game at lunch time Friday at Gresham Community School. Both students wore Aaron Rodgers jerseys. The school held a green and gold day ahead of the Packers’ playoff game Sunday.
Gresham Community School sophomore Alison Reyes is decked out in a variety of Packers gear.
Gresham Community School students and staff donned their Packers gear Friday in support of the Green Bay team’s NFL wild card playoff game Sunday.
Although dressing up in Packers gear is not unusual, the participation Friday was somewhat surprising since officials didn’t announce the Green and Gold Day until just as school was letting out Thursday.
It did not take long for seventh-grader Johnny Kerry to decide what to wear. He donned a jersey with the number 12 on it in celebration of his hero, Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
“This is the most popular team in this school, and I think the Packers are going to win this Sunday against the 49ers,” Kerry said.
Principal Keary Mattson said the school has encouraged students to dress in Packers jerseys and other attire four times this season, including the Friday before the Nov. 4 game against the Bears in which Rodgers broke his collarbone.
“We always try to dress up before the Bears games,” Mattson said, noting one staff member is a staunch Bears supporter, and his colleagues like to provide a little gentle ribbing.
The second game against the Bears took place while the school was on Christmas break, so it was decided that at least one more Green and Gold Day seemed appropriate. The Packers face the San Francisco 49ers this weekend at Lambeau Field.
Kerry said he was surprised the Packers made it to the top of the North Division of the National Football Conference.
He said watching the Packers was “not good” while Rodgers was sidelined for two months, but he was glad to see the quarterback return last weekend to face, and defeat, the Bears.
Riley Neitzer, a high school junior, is also optimistic about the Packers’ chances Sunday but believes the game will be close.
“I think (Rodgers) knocked the cobwebs out last week, but this week I think he’ll come back strong,” Neitzer said. “I think they’ll make it to the next game. I hope they do.”
While most students and staff wore jerseys to show their support for the Pack, high school sophomore Alison Reyes went the extra mile, donning green and gold from her headband to her socks.
“My family loves the Packers,” Reyes said. “We’ve always decorated for Christmas with green and gold lights on the Christmas tree and Packers ornaments. We have a Packers tree topper. Everything is Packers.”
Reyes said she’d like to go to the game, but the subzero temperatures predicted are prompting her to watch from the comfort of home. She said she is optimistic the Packers will win.