The game is about to begin. The football players get into place and are ready for the punt. As the audience begins to cheer, the Bluebird fight song fills the stands. The song brings a roar over the crowd and sets the tone.
When Highlands High School was founded in 1926, the players were called the Bluedevils. Later on, Highlands adopted the time-honored tradition that is the “Bluebird Fight Song.” It is performed at every football game. “The cheering and band always get everyone fired up and get the energy going throughout the game,” said 10th-grade football player Carter Manning.
This song dates back to the 20th century, around the same time that the Highlands adopted the Bluebird as their mascot. In the article, “Kentucky Prep Gridiron,” “Highland High School was founded in 1888 and took its name from the original Fort Thomas, The Highlands. The actual building which would come to house Highlands High School initially was built in 1802,” the article Kentucky Prep Gridiron states.
The article also sheds light on a red-headed stranger.
“Willie Nelson, a.k.a. The Red Headed Stranger, once penned a song entitled Blue Skies in which he wrote…Bluebirds singin’ a song/Nothin’ but blue skies from now on…I have no idea the motivation of Shotgun Willie in writing and then cutting a huge hit with those lyrics.”
As the game heads into halftime, the stands are filled with energy and laughter. Although the song didn’t originate in Highlands, it has become a part of Highlands Culture. “It’s the University of California’s fight song,” said alumni Doug Dee.
“There are two things I do know; I love the song, and if the Fort Thomas Highlands Bluebirds were the Bluebirds he meant to reference in the lyrics, there really has been nothing but blue skies from now on…or at least from the Roaring 20s to the present day.”
This song isn’t only played at football games but also at pep rallies and other school events. It is used to show school spirit and help energize the students. Usually, the student section will clap along to the beat and dance with their friends in preparation for the game. The cheerleaders cheer to the beat of the song as well.
“The fight song is the celebration after touchdowns, it gives me a wave of passion and reminds me why I started to cheer.” said cheerleader Ellie Haigis (10).
The band plays this important song when the blow horn of a touchdown sounds.
“The song means a lot to me. It is something that reminds me of the atmosphere of winning an important game.” said band member Parker Gay (10).
Along with the band students, the band teacher is one of the main contributors to performing this song. “In the middle of the song when we are supposed to be playing I make the students spell out the school’s name three times,” Band director Lori Duncan said. This gets the students ready to cheer for the game.
The football team has had major success this year and couldn’t do it without the support of the band, student section, cheerleaders, families, and dancers.
