Every year at Lambert, the Career and Technical Student Organizations (CTSO) unite for an afterschool event in which all members of each organization can socialize, play games and enjoy treats. Much of the planning for these events is done by CTSO officers, serving as a testament to their dedication and collaboration – all to further enhance student involvement and connection at Lambert. This year, the officers launched CTSO Fest, a tailgate party taking place before the Lambert v. East Coweta football game.
CTSO Fest included outside activities, pizza, cookies, music and ran from 6-7 p.m. Mr. Ware, the lead FBLA advisor and co-department chair of Career Tech, assisting with ticket sales and ordering pizza.
“We sold 160 tickets to this tailgate, we had a really good turnout,” Mr. Ware said. “We threw this together pretty quick. The idea really only became a final idea about 2 weeks before the event.”
In previous years, the CTSOs would set up a CTSO Ice Cream Social near the beginning of the school year, but due to low student turn-out and melted ice cream from the summer heat, revisions were much needed.
While working on a new CTSO event for the 2023-2024 school year, officers struggled to find a workable date and time before fall break that didn’t have a game the same night. Mr. Ware advised the officers to partner up with the football game and make the event a tailgate party.
“A lot of Lambert kids don’t go to the football games, so it’s kind of a win-win for everybody,” Mr. Ware said. “It just made sense.”
In regards to how CTSO events will change in the future, Mr. Ware hopes to incorporate more year-round events filled with more intrigue and school spirit. Future events may offer information for families of rising-longhorns, greater recognition of CTSO officers (perhaps during the halftime of football games) and larger participation in general.
