Benton Community High School Begins 2026–2027 with Focus on “Closing the Gap”; Written by: Rob Libolt, High School Principal
Central Office
September 1, 2026
Benton Community High School welcomed students and staff back for the 2026–2027 school year with its annual Welcome Back Pep Rally. This year’s message focused on “Closing the Gap” and challenged students to take ownership of where they are and where they want to go.
The “gap” represents the distance between where a student is today and where they want to be — academically, in athletics and activities, and in personal growth. Students were encouraged to focus on the things they can control and take the steps necessary to continue moving forward.
The message centered on three areas: attitude, effort and showing up.
● Attitude: Approach challenges with a positive mindset and a willingness to improve.
● Effort: Understand that growth takes hard work, perseverance and a willingness to ask for help.
● Showing Up: Make attendance a priority. Being at school consistently is important not only for academic success, but also for relationships, involvement and being part of the school community.
The beginning of the school year also provided an opportunity to recognize Benton Community teachers and support staff for the work they put in before students returned. Staff spent the summer preparing classrooms, planning instruction, organizing activities and getting the school ready for a new year.
Each grade level was also given a specific focus for the year:
Freshmen — Get Involved: Take risks, try new things and build a strong foundation for the next four years.
Sophomores — Raise the Standard: Continue to grow, avoid becoming comfortable and raise expectations for themselves and those around them.
Juniors — Take Ownership: Begin taking greater responsibility for their future and their goals beyond high school, whether that includes college, a career or the military.
Seniors — Leave a Legacy: Set the standard for younger students and make the most of their final year at Benton Community.
The message to students was simple: Everyone has a gap to close. The school will provide support, opportunities and people to help students along the way, but students must take ownership of the effort required to reach their goals.
As the 2026–2027 school year gets underway, Benton Community High School is focused on helping students grow, stay engaged and make the most of their time in Bobcat Country.
