Lone Peak High School held its annual beginning of the year pool party Aug. 21 at the Pleasant Grove Community pool. Students rode the water slide, did flips off the diving board, played water basketball, splashed in the mushroom fountain, and played Frisbee.

Council members said they felt that school spirit hadn't been very strong last year, even with championship basketball and lacrosse teams and many other highlights for the students.

"We needed a successful activity at the beginning of the year," said Student Body Supervisor Gary Dunn.

In an attempt to build school spirit council members decided that this year, for the first time, the pool party would be a free event. "We thought -- what makes a good activity?" said Student Body cabinet member Tyler Mickleson, "Music. Food. Free. Food doesn't work too well at a pool, but every Lone Peak student gets in free."

While they liked the idea, council members had to come up with the funds to cover the $1,000 or so that it would cost to rent the pool for the evening. In past years the entrance fee of $3 a person was sufficient to meet their needs.

To cover the rental fee, council members are working at the LaVell Edwards Stadium concession stands and donating the money they would have earned to cover school activity costs.

"They are really service oriented -- a good group of kids and they want to serve," said Dunn.

Council members first went to an unpaid training on their specific roles at the BYU stadium. Tyler Mickleson, for instance, will be popping popcorn during Saturday's football game. Others will be cashiering and serving food.

The party turnout was greater than in years past and the student council thinks their efforts will be well worth their while.