Congratulations to the Girls Leaders Organization (GLO) at Walt Whitman High School as they celebrated the 75th year of Girls Sports Night (GSN) on Friday, February 28th!  This year, it was Princesses versus Pop Stars, and those themes gave the teams a lot of fun ideas for costumes, props, and cheers.  The bleachers were packed on both sides of the North Gym as family and friends showed up to support the girls in pink (Princesses) or the girls in purple (Pop Stars). 

Girls Sports Night is one of the longest-running and most popular traditions for the South Huntington School District.  Originally, GSN gave young women the opportunity to participate in athletics that were only available to boys.  As times changed and girls’ teams were established, Whitman’s GLO has continued to keep the tradition alive.  

Walt Whitman Principal John Murphy says even though opportunities for female athletes are greater than ever, this event is now all about our sense of community.  “It doesn't matter if you're an athlete, it doesn't matter if you're an academic. You get to be on the same field, play the same sports, be able to be a part of a team and for some of these girls, they've never been on an organized team even though there are female sports. And it gives them a chance to have that kind of togetherness and it allows us to show our school spirit,” said Dr. Murphy. 

Months of hard work goes into putting this night together.  It started back in December with cheer tryouts. Then there was music to be chosen, routines to be choreographed, and costumes to be designed.  And there were weeks and weeks and weeks of practice!

After the official welcome and the Opening Cheer, the teams competed against each other in volleyball, tug-of-war, welcome cheer, dodgeball, calisthenics, basketball, fight cheer, and senior musical chairs.  The Princesses took out the tiaras and magic mirrors while the Pop Stars had their microphones and inflatable guitars. In the end, the Princesses took the crown, winning tug-of-war, welcome cheer, dodgeball, fight cheer and senior musical chairs. The Pop Stars prevailed in volleyball, calisthenics, and basketball.

Congratulations to GLO advisor Mrs. Kim Mahoney, GLO President Erin Conlon and Vice President Lindsay Alms for running an incredible Girls Sports Night event!  It’s one that reminds us why Whitman is such a great place.  Also congratulations to our new GLO/GSN leaders for 2025-26: President Ella Fischer and Vice President Emily Cary.

Girls Leaders Organization is an academic and athletic honor society. The criteria for being a GLO member includes high academic achievement, participation in varsity athletics, hours of community service, as well as dedication to the club and its activities and events. Some of their community services include the Homecoming Carnival and Bonfire, Breast Cancer Awareness “Flocking” fundraiser, Autism Awareness Walk, Thanksgiving food drive, the District Holiday Winter Wonderland, and a pajama drive and holiday gift cards for hospitalized children.

A big thank you to all of the custodial staff who made this night possible, Mr. Rogers and the Robotics Club for generously rebuilding and constructing the cheer boxes, all of the amazing proctors, and the Secret Judges Panel who determined the winners of the choreographed events. And a special thank you to the boys helpers who worked tirelessly to keep the night moving with speedy equipment changes in between each competition and color commentary. It was a night that will surely become a cherished high school memory for many!

See more photos at bit.ly/GSN-2025

This year was the 75th Annual Girls Sports Night. Above are Girls Sports Night photos from the 1953 yearbook.

WWHS Principal John Murphy posed with the Princess Cheer Team in front of the cheer boxes built by WWHS Robotics.

Senior Sarah Duffy had the opening serve for GSN Volleyball as the first game of the night.

Thank you to the ‘khaki boys’ for volunteering to help set up the numerous sporting events for the night.

Girls on both teams showed their strength in the Tug-of-War.

The Princess Cheer Team’s welcome cheer was win worthy!

Pop Star Cheer showed off their athleticism during their high-flying routine.

Dodgeball is always a big hit!

The Pop Stars rocked out and came out with the win for calisthenics.

Seniors on the Princess Calisthenics team donned their tiaras to end their magical routine.

The competitive energy continued on the court with GSN Basketball.

The Pop Star Fight Cheer was fierce!

The Princess Cheer team came dressed as familiar Disney characters for their Fight Cheer.

Senior Musical Chairs is always the most competitive event, right down to the very last seat!

The evening concluded with the announcements of the 2025-2026 GLO Officers. Congratulations to next year’s President, Ella Fischer, and Vice President, Emily Cary! (pictured left to right) Ella Fischer, Emily Cary, GLO Advisor Kim Mahoney, current GLO President Erin Conlon, and current Vice-President Linsday Alms.