NORWICH – It’s Spirit Week at Norwich High School, a time when the four classes divvy up into two teams, Purple and White, and compete in a week long battle to see who has more school spirit. Their reward? Bragging rights, of course.
The week long event, which is planned for and by students, is an exciting time at the school. According to Dean of Students Scott Ryan, it is an opportunity to loosen up the environment in the school and get students involved.
“Traditions are shared and relationships are forged,” Ryan explained. The grouping of the classes is key to building those relationships. This year’s freshman and seniors are the Purple team, while the sophomores and juniors are the White.
Each day has a different theme and students are encouraged to dress accordingly. Students will pick their favorite decade and dress accordingly on Monday; wear sports related attire on Tuesday; dress as their favorite celebrities on Wednesday; model the wardrobe for their future careers on Thursday and show off their spirit on Friday by wearing their team color of purple or white.
Each team will get points for the number of people who participate and those scores will be tracked on the Pride Wall, which is new this year. Ryan said he hopes this will challenge more students to get involved.
That involvement is what Karissa Hubbard, vice president of the Pep Squad, says she likes most about Spirit Week.
“We have more people being involved and classes working together,” Hubbard said. As a senior this year, she is hoping the Purple team is once again victorious.
It’s not just students that get involved, faculty and staff are also part of the action. Friday afternoon’s pep rally where teachers compete is one of Hubbard’s favorite events of the week.
And of course there is Spirit Night, the culmination of the week’s events. Crab soccer, obstacle courses, relays are just a few of the competitions that decide the final outcome of the week. And to the winner goes the spoils.