LAC LA BICHE - In the days leading up to the annual JA Williams (JAWS) Wow Pow senior volleyball tournament, the Grade 9-12 senior high school in Lac La Biche hosted several events for Spirit Week.
Principal Sam Abougouche says Spirit Week is put on annually to get students and staff prepared and keen for Wow Pow. The volleyball competition, which has been hosted at the high school since 1972, took place at the Bold Center on Oct. 25 and 26, and drew 40 high school volleyball teams from across northeastern Alberta.
“It’s really about having a fun week and getting some school spirit up before the big event,” Abougouche told Lakeland This Week, adding that he fondly remembers Wow Pow week from when he was a student at JAWS.
“It’s always been a pretty exciting time here at the school.”
Throughout the week, JAWS students had the opportunity to engage in a variety of fun activities.
On Oct. 24, a crowd of students gathered inside of the school gymnasium to watch some of the 2025 graduates who also play volleyball for the JAWS Sharks, face off against teachers in a friendly lunchtime volleyball match. A few hours later, students and staff congregated for the customary pep rally to kick off the Wow Pow tournament.
Many of the students and staff in attendance sported blue and grey clothing in support of the school’s colours. These colours were also proudly represented by two large JAWS mascots who walked around socializing with the crowd.
Abougouche said, staff put greater emphasis on Spirit Week this year in a bid to build more school spirit and culture. The event, he added, helps foster an environment of positivity among students and staff.
“Our goal is to make school as fun and engaging as possible,” he said. “What we find is the more that we get involved, the more that students get involved, the more that staff get involved, it brings us closer together.”