Fight for the Fish revives rivalry, raises funds and community pride

A packed Lake City High gymnasium came alive on Friday as the annual Fight for the Fish rivalry returned, blending spirited competition with fundraising for local first responders. The event — featuring themed spirit days, a student-led pep show and varsity basketball games — drew students, families and community members to 6101 N. Ramsey to cheer on the Timberwolves and Vikings.

Coeur d'Alene High embraced a Rock and Roll theme that students chose during ASB meetings, rolling through Band Merch Monday, Tour Bus Tuesday and Backstage Blackout Wednesday before celebrating Fallen Fish Thursday and a final white-and-blue Friday. Senior and ASB President Lyla Bailey described the theme as the product of student brainstorming and a final vote. Coeur d'Alene also used the week to raise money for the Red and Blue Foundation, a first-responder support nonprofit, as part of a long-running tradition of tying spirit week to a community cause. "I actually wanted to do something the week of," Lyla said. "We wanted to help give back."

Lake City High, defending holder of the wooden Fish trophy, staged a boxing-themed "Rocky's Redemption" with decorated hallways and custom navy-and-teal robes for spirit packs. The theme nods to a 2022 cancellation and aims to bring the school together around a sense of continuity and recovery. "Fight for the Fish got canceled in 2022 when that was our theme, so now we're doing a 'Redemption,'" said Lake City ASB President Tessa Petersen. Tessa called the week a highlight of her senior year and said one of her favorite outcomes is seeing quieter students become more visible. "My absolute favorite thing is watching the kids who are on the quieter side fully come out of their shells," she said.

Student leaders framed the rivalry as a unifying event rather than just competition. "I really like how it gets the school together," freshman spirit leader Frian Labesto said as rehearsals unfolded. Junior class vice president Chloe Crowley emphasized cross-demographic participation, noting the week "really brings us all together, a lot of demographics you don't usually see participate in these types of events." Principal Bryan Kelly credited the event with gathering students who might otherwise be scattered across activities. "It just brings everybody who might be all over the place together," he said.

Beyond school pride, the event has community-level implications: fundraising for first responders bolsters local public safety and signals civic solidarity, while large gatherings offer social and mental health benefits by strengthening teen belonging. Tickets were $7 for the evening, with girls varsity tipping off at 5:30 p.m. and boys at 7 p.m.

The takeaway? Treat these nights as more than basketball. Come early, bring family and support the fundraising efforts — it helps first responders, spotlights student leadership and keeps a decades-old community tradition alive. Our two cents? Cheer loud, wear your colors and use the week to connect with neighbors you might not otherwise meet.