Homecoming season—chants in the student section at Friday night football games, neon spandex adorning every senior in the hallway during spirit week and the iconic teachers vs. students tug-of-war game at the pep rally. Although known and remembered as one of the most anticipated times of the school year, it also happens to be one of the only times students passionately express school spirit. 

With teacher alumni constantly comparing today’s students to the rowdy and competitive years prior, the blame usually falls on students not wanting to be involved. But, as seen in student government’s charity volleyball tournament and recently revived powderpuff game, students rise to the occasion when an opportunity is presented to them.

The lack of school spirit does not seem to be rooted in the students themselves, but more so the willingness to put on events that get students involved. The first two months of school leave students’ calendars littered with events, but comes to a halt post-Homecoming. Why do the events have to stop there?

Since student government plans Homecoming and the events surrounding it, then the organizations that plan Turnabout and Prom should create events that evoke the same kind of involvement and excitement for those times of the year. Even the easy, simple spirit days during finals week creates a sense of community in the school. This way, students have fun, memorable events to look forward to throughout the year, not only during football season. School spirit does not have to be attached to a sport or stem from school rivalry—it can come from the students themselves.

Our take:

 To encourage consistent school spirit, more exciting events should be put on outside of Homecoming.