Who’s got school spirit?
Jenna Campbell
Times Junior Reporter
An electrified hairdo held together by lollipops? A watermelon helmet worn to support the greatest CFL team in the league? Only on Crazy Hair and Hat Day on May 12, during Strathmore High School’s Spirit Week: Five Days of Spirit, would you see these two Student Leadership Council members, Kayla Hagel and Amanda Ducheminsky, sporting these unusual getups. The spirit days began on Wednesday, May 11, and continued on through the next four school days, ending on Tuesday, May 17. Along with Crazy Hair and Hat Day, the spirit days included: School Colours Day, Band T-Shirt Day, Inside Outside/Backwards Day, and Super Hero Day. The five days were also full of activities which were competitive between the students and the student’s Teacher Advisor group.
The incentive for each T.A. was to acquire the most points through participating in the spirit days and winning the activities. Some of the activities included the ‘Minute to Win It’ kick off, and smaller events like the T.A. t-shirt competition. With so many opportunities, it was practically impossible for the students to not show some school pride.
Being a new event brought to the school, the SLC jointly thought that Spirit Week would be the perfect replacement for the previous scavenger hunts. The group felt that the scavenger hunts were becoming too difficult and a little overwhelming.
“We tried to think of a way where everyone in the student body could equally participate. It definitely was a brainstorming effort for everybody,” said SLC president, Amanda Ducheminsky.
Collectively, the SLC is a large group of students and categorized into four groups: Teacher Advisors, Community, Special, and Spirit. Designated group leaders are assigned to each group. The Spirit group was in charge of organizing Spirit Week, an event which has been in the works since March.
“I thought we just we needed to have a week to have more fun and show school spirit. There are a lot of people out there who want to show school spirit, but they don’t get the chance,” said Spirit SLC leader, Kayla Hagel.
As for the outcome of the event, Ducheminsky is looking at the highs instead of the lows. She is not focusing on each student who did not participate, but rather, is appreciating the students who did put in an effort. By looking at the positives, Ducheminsky can call the week a success.
“It’s a way for people to bust out of their insecurities too, and something before grad that we can all (do to) have a good time,” she said.
Clearly showing no signs of insecurities, Ducheminsky expresses her Rider Pride, stating in regards to her helmet, “I was born to make these.”
Her only complaint towards the watermelon headgear was that it can get “a little moist.”