Montgomery County High School and its Future Business Leaders of America group held a Hero Night ceremony on Oct. 13 at Jim Blacklock Field to salute the law enforcement officers.

A total of 12 law enforcement officers were recognized during halftime of MCHS’ football game against North Callaway. There were eight members of the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Department, two from the Montgomery City Police Department and two from the Missouri State Highway Patrol that were honored.

MCHS seniors Jacer Brower and Madi Polston were the emcees of the ceremony, which included a routine from the school’s football cheerleaders and a performance from the school’s choir.

“It was a lot of fun and it felt great because they do a lot and they put a lot on the line,” Brower said. “What a great moment to thank them for everything they do. Especially in the world nowadays, some people don’t think they do very much and they sure do a lot for us.”

The school raised $4,118.53 for the Griffith and Sullentrup Memorial and Recovery Fund, which is named after the two Hermann officers who were involved in a shooting on March 12. Mason Griffith died due to the injuries from the shooting, while Adam Sullentrup was severely injured.

The money was raised from T-shirt sales, donations from the Powderpuff football game, a cornhole tournament, a silent auction and raffle tickets.
Brower said originally, the FBLA group planned to have activities such as a dodgeball tournament and a movie night at the football field before plans got changed. A Powderpuff football game was held on Oct. 11 at Jim Blacklock Field.

“We set our goal a little lower than our goal last year,” Brower said. “Three years ago, we set a record of $8,000. Without the dodgeball tournament, we knew we would take a hit. But we anticipated that we would have the dodgeball tournament this year before we set the goal and we were not able to do it. We didn’t quite make the goal, but we still raised a lot of money for the Griffith and Sullentrup Fund in Hermann.”

Brower said the FBLA group got compliments from the Hermann community for putting together a successful Hero Night project this year.

“A couple of the Hermann fans stayed after the youth football game between Montgomery County and Hermann to watch the Powderpuff,” Brower said. “I think that made a little money, too.”