The Spirit Game Is On
Eraina Tyson
Eraina Tyson
Hillgrove High School’s new game day competition of the grades brings student participation to new heights. As the Hillgrove football team puts their plays into action, the students bring their highest spirits. Students that take part in the assigned spirit wear on pep rally days can earn points for their class year; freshman, sophomore, juniors and seniors. At the end of the year the class with the most spirit points gets the spirit stick, granting them a social event as a prize.
Senior, Nia Furlow, gave her perspective on how this year’s changes compared to those she has experienced prior. “Before this year it was like everyone wanted to be hype for game day but no one ever knew what was going on. This year, because there was more communication and organization, I could actually hear the cheers and know what was going on. My freshman year, my spirit was definitely high. The years after that it dwindled down because of the weight of school work but now that a I’m a senior I’m more excited with all of these end of high school experiences such as prom and attending my final games.”
Being completely new to the concept of a school game night, freshman Brooke Gutekunst explained what this first year experience is like for her. “The spirit games make me feel more involved in the school. I like going to see the band and talking to my friends outside of the school day; I don’t pay much attention to the game although I take part in the spirit wear.”
It is known among Hillgrove students that hearing the term “pep rally” was usually a cause to skip the event or leave the school early on game days altogether before 4th period hit. Junior ROTC member, Steve Martelly, expresses his change in demeanor due to change in location and time. “The change in placement of the pep rally has made the event more appealing. I personally have the same level of school spirit with or without the games and competition but I can tell from other people’s reactions that the change has definitely helped to bring other’s levels up.”
All in all, the new year is putting a different pep in the step of Hillgrove students through all of the grades, new and familiar.
Senior, Nia Furlow, gave her perspective on how this year’s changes compared to those she has experienced prior. “Before this year it was like everyone wanted to be hype for game day but no one ever knew what was going on. This year, because there was more communication and organization, I could actually hear the cheers and know what was going on. My freshman year, my spirit was definitely high. The years after that it dwindled down because of the weight of school work but now that a I’m a senior I’m more excited with all of these end of high school experiences such as prom and attending my final games.”
Being completely new to the concept of a school game night, freshman Brooke Gutekunst explained what this first year experience is like for her. “The spirit games make me feel more involved in the school. I like going to see the band and talking to my friends outside of the school day; I don’t pay much attention to the game although I take part in the spirit wear.”
It is known among Hillgrove students that hearing the term “pep rally” was usually a cause to skip the event or leave the school early on game days altogether before 4th period hit. Junior ROTC member, Steve Martelly, expresses his change in demeanor due to change in location and time. “The change in placement of the pep rally has made the event more appealing. I personally have the same level of school spirit with or without the games and competition but I can tell from other people’s reactions that the change has definitely helped to bring other’s levels up.”
All in all, the new year is putting a different pep in the step of Hillgrove students through all of the grades, new and familiar.