The new school year has arrived. From us here at the Bellarion, we hope you are making a comfortable return to Bel Air High. For new and returning students alike, it’s time to become a part of Bobcat Nation. Of course, anyone who attends Bel Air is automatically a part of Bobcat Nation, but what does it mean to be a member of the legendary group? With homecoming right around the corner, let’s take a look at what it truly mean to be a Bobcat.

Being a Bobcat is more than just going to the occasional Friday night football game, or the games against Patterson Mill. It’s going to all the games you can, cheering loudly, and being a positive member of the fan base that represents your school. It’s not leaving when a loss seems inevitable, but staying to support your peers until the very end. It’s continuing to yell and scream from the opening kickoff, pitch, serve, or whistle, until the clock runs to zero. It’s being there to support your friends after a tough loss, and being there to congratulate them on the big win.

Being a Bobcat is more than just going to sporting events. It’s going to as many events you can to help your school. It’s getting serious about spirit days and dressing up in your decade garb like you’ve been living in the 60’s your whole life. It’s going to the fundraiser at Buontempos when the Cross Country team or the Academic Team needs to raise money. It’s watching your friends put on new faces as they become different people on the stage during the fall and spring productions. It’s going to Student Government or Class Office meetings to voice your opinion to better your school.

Being a Bobcat is more than just attending events, sporting or otherwise. It’s having an innate sense of community. Bel Air High School is a living organism, the students being the cells that power the systems of the school. Without working with each other and supporting each other, we aren’t the same school. As a member of Bel Air, it’s knowing that the person next to you in the hallway has the same identity that you do: a Bobcat.