Every year a new group of seniors steps up to take the responsibility of driving around the “MILFORD” flags.

These flags are a common sight around the streets of Milford as they drive around flags with the letters spelling M-I-L-F-O-R-D.

This year, the lineup of drivers (not passengers of the vehicles) consists of: Kyle Teagan, Hailey Grigereit, Anna Shaffer, Meghan Collar, Nicole Kovach, Taylor Law, Maddy Knapp, Maddy Ritten, JD Brancheau, and Kelsey Heitman. 

Friday for the football games they get together, flags ready to fly, and ready to cheer for Milford. These flags are a huge part of Milford’s school spirit. Or, as Meghan Collar the driver of the ‘F’ stated, “The flags get everyone really pumped up before the game even if they aren’t in the cars.”

Driver of the ‘I’, Hailey Grigereit agreed, “Seeing everyone’s reactions, how spirited people get and all of the cheering. It’s pretty awesome.”

When the crew drives around, they aren’t just a group of rowdy high school seniors; they are a symbol of Milford High School’s school spirit. “It’s a tradition,” Anna Shaffer, the ‘L’ driver, said with a smile. “It’s something we are known for, and it’s unique to Milford.”

Not only are the flags ‘unique to Milford’, they are also something that Milford citizens can take pride in, and use to recognize themselves by.

“A lot of people have pride in them, to be able to say, ‘Look there’s the Milford Flags!’” Shaffer stated. While fun may appear to be the main objective of this group, truthfully hours of work were put in behind the scenes.

The preparations for this beloved Milford tradition started before last school year was over. In June, the members were selected and the beginnings of plans we made. For example, the creation of the flags was the main responsibility. “We had waited until the end of August to make the flags and it was scary because we were all like AHHHHH! Are we going to get them done?” Shaffer stated.

Thankfully, the preparations were finished on time. “Planning is key for all of this,” Shaffer emphasized. Once the flags were made and the cars were ready to roll, the pedestrians on the streets of Milford had to brace themselves.

“We are really loud and obnoxious, so we get noticed really easily,” exclaimed Collar. The most frequented of these streets, Milford Road, received the brunt force of all of this spirit. “I like to drive through downtown. It’s the most fun because everyone in town gets so excited when they see us driving and they all honk their horns and wave,” Shaffer happily described. “Everyone looks at the cars driving down Milford Road. You know what I mean? Everyone remembers that,” stated Grigereit.

However the crew’s first drive through downtown did not go as smoothly as it may have appeared. “No one was prepared and we were all nervous,” stated Shaffer. “I was so focused on keeping up the car in front of me that I hardly saw anything else,” recalled Shaffer. “If you don’t pay attention, you will rear end the car in front of you,” Shaffer continued. Shaffer retold one of her many fun experiences from the crew thus far.

“I was by myself, just the ‘L’ driving through town,” began Shaffer, “But everyone was still honking and smiling at me!” she said. The crew may seem like an exclusive group, but really everyone in Milford can identify with the crew regardless of age, social status, or occupation. Or, as Shaffer sincerely stated, “It’s something that is not only big for the school, it’s big for the community too.”

Additionally, as Grigereit said happily “It really brings everybody together.” The crew itself is a collage of all different divisions of peers. “I love how we got the crew together so much,” Grigereit remarked. “We decided to take people from all different friend groups.”  “It’s senior year, and I liked the idea of being a part of the school’s spirit and being involved in something the whole community takes part in,” Grigereit said, explaining her reasoning for joining this group.All in all, the crew is a group that clearly illustrates Milford’s School spirit, and the spirit of the community at their best. Anyone can take pride in this amazing group of responsible seniors. “I always enjoy seeing the flag crew!” exclaimed sophomore Kathleen Sommers.