Clover vs. Fort Mill in ... water safety?

They’ve competed in every recognizable sport, singing, robotics, future farming, future business leading, academic team, marching band, model international diplomacy and state test score rankings.

Now, throw in buoyancy.

Clover and Fort Mill high schools can add life jacket participation to their decades-old list of friendly rivalries. This one may have been the first to start via Twitter call out, or been stoked by Krispy Kreme and kayak incentives.

“Doughnuts driving the train,” joked Gales Scroggs, assistant principal at Fort Mill High School.

The Lake Wylie Marine Commission and York County Sheriff’s Office launched a life jacket awareness campaign last year. It started at Clover High, seeing how many students and staff they could get to wear life jackets for a picture and a school-produced video on the importance of wearing them while boating.

This year, the program turned into a contest. Clover students challenged their academic neighbors to see who could get the most participation.

“They (law enforcement) explained they’ve never pulled anyone out of the lake who had a life jacket on,” Scroggs said. “They talked about life jacket safety and with us being a lake community and so many of our students out on the water during the summer, they wanted to bring attention to it.”

The Fort Mill student council got on board, offering doughnuts for students who wore life jackets to school May 5. The mainly senior effort netted more than 30 students pictured in their boating best.

“I see it growing in future years,” Scroggs said. “The seniors showed it’s something the underclassmen can get behind.”

Growing in its second season wasn’t a problem in Clover. About 130 students and staff participated May 11, a massive increase from last spring. The student council at Clover helped drum support, as did local businesses.

Hunt Fish Paddle in Lake Wylie and Steele Creek businesses Gander Mountain and West Marine donated prizes including life jackets, a fishing rod, two day-on-the-river trips for four and a kayak. Freshman Matt Ehrnschwender typically rides the bus home, but wouldn’t Wednesday after his ticket was drawn for the kayak.

“I’m calling my mom,” he said.

Joe Stowe, marine commission executive director, watched as Clover students performed the wave after learning they won the contest and trophy, which will be awarded later.

“This is great to say, look what they can do,” he said. “This is going to send one heck of a message.”

The number of schools doubled this year, and plans include more schools to grow the annual competition, perhaps countywide.

“Next year it’ll be Clover, Nation Ford, Fort Mill,” said Wayne Richardson, school resource and lake enforcement officer with the Sheriff’s Office. “It’ll be all of the high schools.”

Richardson said life jackets can save lives if boaters and paddlers wear them. Jackets need to be in working order and fit correctly. Richardson sees more people taking to the water, and not always the traditional powerboat scene. People are kayak fishing more, canoeing, paddleboarding, and kayaks are a common sight.

“On Lake Wylie, it’s become huge,” Richardson said.

Jessica Davis, Clover High teacher and student council sponsor, echoed Wednesday’s event was fun, but the bigger goal is awareness leading to action. Perhaps even leading to a life saved.

“Ultimately our goal is to keep our kids safe, so in August when they return they’re happy kids and they’re safe,” she said.

This story was originally published May 12, 2016 at 1:57 PM with the headline "Clover vs. Fort Mill in ... water safety?."