The faces in the audience during Monday evening’s meeting of the Dowagiac City Council were a lot younger looking than those that make up the crowds who typically witness local government in action.

Their orange and black wardrobe was also a lot more vibrant than the usual apparel sported by visitors.

That evening, Mayor Don Lyons and the members of City Council honored members of Dowagiac Union High School’s Chieftain Heart Club and Front Row Crew for their overwhelming school spirit that led to the district winning this year’s Battle of the Fans competition, held annually by the Michigan High School Athletic Association.

Dowagiac’s energetic basketball crowd edged out four cheering sections from other Michigan schools, including nearby Buchanan, which took home the award last year.

Lyons himself read off a proclamation honoring the students and staff who helped make the achievement, which the mayor called “one of the most exciting things we’ve done around here in a while,” happen. The proclamation read as follows:

WHEREAS, the Dowagiac School’s Chieftain Heart Club and Front Row Crew began with a small group of students with one big idea; and

WHEREAS, that one big idea, of school spirit, has grown to include more than just school students; and

WHEREAS, much like tossing a pebble into the water, the ripples of the Club have drawn-in students across the school system. Teachers, administrators, area businesses, local government and the community as a whole have united; and

WHEREAS, the heartbeat of school spirit, community pride and ownership are

palpable.

WHEREAS, the Chieftain Heart Club, Dowagiac United, and the students of

Dowagiac Schools present the very best in sportsmanship, teamwork,

creativity, unity and pride; and

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT PROCLAIMED; that I, Donald D. Lyons, Mayor of the

City of Dowagiac, tender this Proclamation to Dowagiac Schools and urge all citizens to join me in this sincere expression of admiration and congratulations for receiving the “2015 Battle of the Fans Champion” awarded by the Michigan High school Athletic Association.

Lyons handed the plaque containing the document to Dustin Cornelius, the high school English teacher who served as the advisor for the school’s cheering section. The city also handed out individual proclamations to the students attending Monday’s ceremony.

Many of the councilmembers praised the students for their accomplishment. Ward 2 representative Jim Dodd said that the competition had the city “hoppin’,” with excitement, and that hardly a day went by without someone asking him if he purchased a “Dowagiac United” t-shirt.

“In the gym the night that the state was here, I don’t know where you could sit,” Dodd said. “One guy put some paper in his ears because it got so loud.”

Councilmember Lori Hunt praised Cornelius for his guidance to the students as well, saying that he just jumped in to help without being asked to do so.

“It was our kids, but he spearheaded it and really, really gave tirelessly to those kids and helped get us on the map,” Hunt said. “It speaks volumes about him and his commitment to our community and our district.”

Ward 3 Councilmember Charles Burling kept his comment about their achievement short but to the point.

“Seeing those young people here tonight just solidified the fact that Dowagiac is the greatest place on Earth,” Burling said.