As football season comes to an end, schools around the nation set up their annual Powderpuff game. If you’re not familiar, Powderpuff consists of upperclassmen girls playing flag football, while the varsity boys coach them to victory. Junior and senior girls get excited to play on their home field, while the boys work on perfecting their coaching tactics. Students are often disappointed when they find out KHS will not be holding a Powderpuff game, and will not be able to participate along with every other school.

Kirkwood fans would have come out to support the game, as it is intended to bring the boys and girls together, and school spirit to the field once again. Dr. Mike Havener, KHS principal, said that he is not stopping the game from happening, but the insurance which occupies the school.

“We had a powderpuff game a while ago, and there was a very serious injury,” Havener said. “Ever since then, the insurance company has denied us the ability to do that. Every year I submit the question ‘can we do this’ and the insurance company says no. There were some girls that already asked me and I said ‘come back and write me a proposal and I will submit it [to insurance] again.”

Havener said that Powderpuff may still be an option, but it can’t be affiliated with KHS directly. This means that the game can’t take place on school property or be a KHS/Pep Nation sponsored event. 

“Seniors [are allowed] to get together and organize [Powderpuff], they just can’t have the school backing it up. What everybody does on the weekends is up to them. They [are not allowed] to say it’s Pep Nation, but they could push it out on their platforms.” Havener said. “I don’t monitor their accounts, it’s freedom of speech.”

Olivia Dothage, senior and Pep Nation member said that Powderpuff has brought a recurring discussion in their class. At this point in time, Pep Nation is willing to do Powderpuff.

“We are trying to get things approved. Our whole class really likes the idea of [holding the game] and wants to try and [put it on].” Dothage said. “I’m pretty sure that everybody would want to get involved if it were ok to do so.”

Dothage spoke on behalf of her fellow seniors, and said they felt like they were missing out on an amusing school event. She explained that the game would be a great way to bring the school together.

“I think we should be able to do it,” Dothage said. “Every other school can do it, and I think it should be a tradition again. We have homecoming later than every other school, so why not have powderpuff later than every other school.” 

Allie Bert, junior, also has a strong opinion that Powderpuff should be allowed. She explains how KHS insurance is being unreasonable, and is allowing students to feel as if they are missing out.

“I think that insurance should [legally] let us do it.” Bert said. “First of all, every other school gets to do it, and we seem like the only other school who does not get to participate. We are left out. Just because one girl had an injury a long time ago, doesn’t necessarily mean that me or anyone else is going to get injured during the game.”

Principal Havener remains willing to do Powderpuff. He makes clear that it is not him, but insurance that students would need to argue with.  

“Powderpuff is a good opportunity for people to have fun.” Havener said. “I don’t want anyone to get hurt, but it’s not like ‘Dr. Havener is against powderpuff.’ I am just following what the insurance company says.”

As of now KHS will not be holding Powderpuff. It is in the hands of the students to organize and plan a non-KHS affiliated Powderpuff game. If you feel strongly about a KHS-affiliated game, Havener encourages students to write a claim proposal which he will then submit to insurance.

Photo Gallery: Kirkwood Varsity football vs Hazelwood Central Sept. 16, 2022

Photo gallery: Varsity football game against Hazelwood 9/16/22

Dr. Mike Havener retires after 29 years at KSD