Let’s take a brief walk down memory lane- last year’s fall spirit week. More specifically, “Meme Day.” What emotions coursed through you as you were introduced to this new day? Was it the anticipation of finally using the yellow sweater in the back of your closet to fulfill the role of Arthur? Was it confusion because you lacked the cultural awareness that informed the rest of your peers on what a meme is? Was it grief? Was it embarrassment?
Photos of schools successfully executing their own “Meme Day” were seen all over the internet prior to this occasion. That certainly was not the reality for our school. There were Vine references here and there at best- but for the most part the “walking meme page” vision the SGA had in mind was lackluster. The SGA has continued to struggle with rallying students together. Time and time again, students arrive to school wearing jeans and tees rather than their best “Tourist Day” attire. Students may not be aware of the SGA team that puts in the effort to make the school a place for pride and community. “I feel like the high school experience is more bearable with spirit… I have to encourage it a lot and I love it, ” senior and SGA Treasurer Kayla Hill said.
What is the root of this conundrum? Much of the blame is attributed to teenagers lacking motivation. How hard is it, after all, to show up in the same clothes you slept in for “Pajama Day?” Or throw on a peace sign or some funky leg warmers for “Decade Day?”
A simple answer would be that teenagers are afraid of being embarrassed. No one, even adults, like being embarrassed; however teenagers seem to hold a rather intense aversion to it. The apprehension to show spirit derives from the uncertainty of whether or not peers will present their spirit with the same velocity or at all. So, most students take the easy route: avoid embarrassment, and refrain from showing spirit all together. This mentality is most evident during spirit week but also at sports events and pep rallies.
The day most students dress up for is “Class Colors Day.” In this case, abstaining from dressing up would be more embarrassing than throwing on red white or blue because most students participate.
What makes “Class Colors Day” so successful is that it is simple. It provides an opportunity for students to show who they are a part of (or who they are not) by wearing clothes they already have. And if desired, students can always choose to stand out more. The SGA has made it so the upcoming spirit week is easier for students to engage in with days like “Terp Tuesday” and “Jersey Thursday.” Participation in school spirit days can be a fun way to break up the monotony of the daily schedule. School spirit is also expressed by the students studying hard, participating in clubs and sports, and reaching out to the community. With this wider perspective of school spirit, “Patriot Pride” may be becoming stronger than ever.