The spirit of Thanksgiving has come early to Westgate High School as students, staff and faculty have found time to participate in the Westgate Spirit Committee’s Spirit Link program.

Sue Hartwell, committee coordinator, said the highly visual and successful activity is not meant to exclusively promote athletic teams or events.

“The links are of all colors, joined together, and on each one people write what they’re thankful for,” Hartwell said. “Our spirit committee has involved everybody in the school, everybody from the teachers to the students, the principals, guidance counselors, janitors, everybody. Everyone has been adding to the link.”

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Originally intended to run the length of the school, the chain grew so rapidly that by Wednesday it had traveled to the back of the school, returned to the front, and down another hallway. The chain stops Friday, so time remains for it to continue growing.

There was no specific inspiration for the program, she said. All she knew was she wanted everyone to participate.

— Reported by Inness Asher