From Themes to Teams: Impact of Spirit Week on School Culture

As the air cools and we go deeper into the school year, students and staff at Leonia High School eagerly anticipate one of the most exciting events of the school year– Spirit Week. This week is scheduled for November 11-15 and is more than just themed days and friendly competition, it’s a week that brings students and staff together, fostering camaraderie, boosting morale, and creating a sense of pride in the school.

As we entered into October, the buzz about spirit week only increased, with students excited to participate. When asked how spirit week brings the student body together, vice president of the executive council, Emily Ryu ’25 said, “We’re all dressing up and having fun together which brings a sense of comradery.” This sense of togetherness is a staple of the event, helping students connect beyond their regular social circles.

Spirit week not only brings students closer, but also strengthens school pride. Ryu emphasized, “Spirit week brings the students closer together and increases our overall pride in the school.” With more students dressing up each year, shared experiences are able to build a stronger community. Last year, a new system of picking themes was implemented, with a Google Form sent out to the whole school with a poll to see what the students wanted the week of themed days to include. Ryu noted, “Student participation has increased over the past few years as we have been implementing social media marketing and student council has been selecting themes that the students are interested in.”

The week is not only about student participation, but also staff. When teachers join in, it fosters an even greater sense of unity. “When teachers and staff participate and advocate for spirit week, it makes the school feel much more united and demonstrates their care in our events,” Ryu added. Their involvement shows that school spirit isn’t just for students, it’s for the whole school.

President of the senior class, Renee Kim ’25 shared how the fun atmosphere helps break the repetition of the school year. “It boosts morale within the student body and reminds students to have fun and let loose once in a while,” Kim said.

Students have taken notice of the rising enthusiasm each year. Emma Twomey ’25, vice president of the senior class, has seen this change firsthand. “My freshman year I did not see that much school spirit, but over the years it’s improved, and I feel like the class of 2025 has helped with that a lot,” she said. Through creative themes and social media promotion, student council has worked hard to get students involved.

Though spirit week at our school has gotten more and more vibrant, there’s always room for improvement. Both Ryu and Twomey agreed that more advance preparation and better advertising could boost participation even further. As Twomey put it, “I still think we have a long way to go to make everyone involved.”

Spirit week isn’t just about dressing up, it’s about building bonds, fostering school pride, and creating memories that last.

Here is the schedule for this Spirit Week 2024:

Monday 11/11 – Pajama Day: Come to school in your COMFIEST pajamas!

Tuesday 11/12 – Twin day: Find a buddy and dress alike for Twin Tuesday!

Wednesday 11/13 – Rhyme Without Reason: Find a friend, or a group, and dress up in pairs that rhyme without reason!

Thursday 11/14 – Throwback Thursday: It’s decades day for LHS! Dress like any of the following decades: 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s, 00s

Friday 11/15 – Jersey Day: Wear any kind of sports jersey (including your LHS jersey) on Jersey Day!

**Homecoming Dance 7PM Friday 11/15/24**