School Spirit Shortage

By: Raelee Ciriacks and Emmalee Ciriacks

Mickey and Minnie Mouse, plaid and stripes, leg warmers, and of course, giant afros. All of these items make up the best part of homecoming: Spirit Week!  Unfortunately, school spirit is vanishing at East and West. How come hardly anyone dresses up during homecoming week these days? There always seems to be plenty of reasons.

Think back to when you were a Freshman.  You probably looked to the upper classmen to see how much people dressed up.  You asked around for ideas on what to wear during spirit week.  You found out that most people didn’t participate in any of the days except for Friday.  Chances were that you followed their example.  If this trend continues, eventually no one will be excited for any of the other days of the week. But if we begin to change the vibe of those days, and set an example for incoming Freshmen, they will follow.  When people begin to get excited for other days, besides just wearing East and West apparel, the amount of school spirit will rise.

Maybe it’s the teachers that intimidate us: their crazy outfits, their weird wigs, their clothing that is probably from high school.  Although we may think that they are strange for dressing up, they outshine us when it comes to having school spirit.  Why do the teachers seem to enjoy spirit week more than we do?  It’s because they understand what Homecoming Week is all about.  We should seize every opportunity to have fun during high school!  If you think about it, high school is one of the last chances we have to dress in super-hero costumes and not have anyone judge us.  When it comes time for your career, it might be hard to find one that will allow you to dress as Buzz Lightyear.

Not dressing up, or participating in Spirit Week, is all too common these days.  Most people feel more comfortable when they have someone to dress crazy with.  Maybe the reason there is such a small amount of spirited people at our school is that we are all stuck in our comfort zones.  Nobody wants to be the only one in their class that dressed up.  Maybe you are thinking that’s exactly why you don’t dress up!  The truth is that those who participate are the people that have the most fun during Homecoming Week.  The pictures on Facebook, the memories of making your own outfit, and the pure enjoyment of being eccentric for a day are the exact reasons why you should dress up next year.  Gather a group of friends and collaborate for Dynamic Duo Day.  Raid your parents’ closets for Decade Day: who knows what you will find!  When you look back at high school, and all of your outfits and hairstyles, what will you smile at?  If you don’t participate in any Homecoming opportunities, then what will your high school memories be of?

Thank you to everyone that participated in spirit week!

Mackenzie Roberts (Grade 10), Emily Frey (9), Courtney Fischer (10), and Ashley Kueper (10) show their East Suns pride!

Shayla McClain (Grade 9) and Erika Tischler (9) show their unified school spirit

Shelly Zancanaro (Grade 10) showing her Spartan spirit!