Over the course of quarter one, students have had countless opportunities to show their school spirit. Whether that be during spirit week or at the football games, students have had plenty of chances to demonstrate their support for the school and for their peers. Yet, it seems that despite all of these chances, students across all grades have been lacking to demonstrate true school spirit.
Football games have remained a staple weekly event for students to come and show their support for the team, and Bussey’s Bomb Squad ensures that a theme is decided in order to enhance the display of spirit. Yet, it seems that when half time rolls around at home games, the bleachers of the student section are empty. While it is understandable that students have other commitments on Friday nights, or that the game is not very intriguing if New Canaan is leading by a lot, not staying for the second half demonstrates a lack of support for the football players, cheerleaders, and coaches who are counting on a cheering crowd of fans to give them motivation to play their best.
Spirit week has also been a victim to the lack of student spirit. STUCO worked diligently to come up with creative, and fun spirit days for this week, yet while walking around the halls, it was all too common to see non-participating students. Even on the ‘easiest’ day, “Anything But a Backpack”, the classes were filled with students using their regular backpacks. While some may feel ‘embarrassed’ to display their school spirit, in reality these are fun days that should bring school members together.
The Homecoming Dance at the end of Spirit Week saw the lowest student participation rates. Due to COVID, a homecoming dance has not been held since 2019, so it would have been assumed that students in all grades would be excited to attend. However, it was clear that the dance floors were filled with an abundance of underclassmen and practically no juniors or seniors in sight. Though it is expected for students, particularly upperclassmen, to have schedules full of activities or college applications, many members of the PTC put countless hours into creating a fun evening for students; moreover, the money received from ticket sales is going into paying for senior post-prom. While some students may have felt it to be ‘uncool’ to go to the dance, not going showed a lack of spirit as well as respect for those who planned it.
In order to have more school spirit throughout the student body, STUCO or Bussey’s Bomb Squad could organize school-wide spirit days during every month in addition to the annual homecoming spirit week. Sports teams and the theater department already have their own spirit weeks and pre-game outfits, but more could be done to get full-school spirit. STUCO could organize pajama days or jersey days, and Bussey’s Bomb Squad could arrange for students to wear specific colors to school on game-days, instead of only at the games.
It’s understandable that many students may feel embarrassed to dress up on spirit days or have other commitments that prevent them from attending school-wide events, but we hope that in the future, students will be more open to participating in these events and displaying school spirit.
