Two added to booster club board

Hannah Gross
NLJ Correspondent 
 
The board of the Newcastle Booster Club , a nonprofit organization that supports students at Newcastle High School, gained two new members, Chris Gray and Marti Ostenson, after a successful vote by the organization’s membership. 
“We had a great turnout, with 58% of our membership voting this year! We greatly appreciate all of your support,” said Kristi Lipp, the club’s secretary. “Members were nominated by current and outgoing board members. Once they accepted the nomination, a ballot was sent out to all booster club members to vote.”
Gray and Ostenson received the top votes. Both say they look forward to serving the students and athletes in the community as board members. Gray was nominated by board member John Tidyman, and because his schedule has been a little more open, Gray said, he “gladly accepted the position.”
“I decided to run for a board position because my own children and their teams have benefited from booster club support, and I understand the importance of this in our community,” Ostenson said. 
Both Gray and Ostenson have been involved with the club for some time, and Gray believes he will add experience to the board because he has been involved with NHS sports as both an athlete and a parent. He said the “greatest asset” he can bring to the board is his passion and empathy for people and NHS. Ostenson has similar experiences. 
“My family has been involved with the booster club for several years because we believe in the support the booster club provides for the youth in our school district,” Ostenson said. “So, I am proud to become more involved. As a board member, I understand the importance of youth activities and am passionate about promoting the positive things happening in our school.” 
Lipp said that all of the nominees are strong supporters of extracurricular activities, and because Gray and Ostenson have kids involved, they were a perfect fit. 
“They both have a love for the Dogie Nation, so we are excited to have them on board,” Lipp said. 
Ostenson believes it’s important to listen to the thoughts and opinions of others, and she plans “to listen and learn” but also give input when needed. Gray wants to do what he can to support the students at NHS.
“I have no specific goals that I am pursuing for this board, other than to support the team the best I can and to help them achieve their goals and to propel them forward to ultimately make each student’s experience at NHS be the best it possibly can, by positively impacting as many lives that we can,” Gray said. 
COVID-19 has affected some of the upcoming plans and events, but the club is still planning on hosting the annual golf tournament on Aug. 15, and the board hopes to have the Meet the Dogies tail-gater in the fall. 
According to Lipp, anyone who wants to get involved and support the club’s cause can become a member, with memberships starting at $10 and going up to $500. Last year, $20,000 was donated to NHS sports and activities, with most of the money coming from the support of members and funds from the golf tournament.
“We would encourage folks to come out and play with us. You don’t have to be a booster member to play, and it’s a fun event and a great way to support the booster club and, ultimately, our high school students,” Lipp said. 
Updates and additional information can be found on the Newcastle Booster Club Facebook page. If you have any questions or want to learn more, call Jamie Beastrom at 941-2059.