The Tradition of Spirit Week

This is my fourth year at SJA – I started when our now seniors were ninth graders. Logic follows that this will also be my fourth Spirit Week and fourth time watching The Game. My first year I asked a lot of questions about Spirit Week and The Game and learned a lot about how tradition and rivalry combine to make the week what it is. This year represents the 120th playing of The Game.  

According to Mr. Ryan’s memory, floats were first introduced as a part of this event in the 1920s, hallways became a part of the week in the 1970s, and skits completed the Spirit Week trifecta beginning in 1989. So, here’s the question: if we’ve been working on some variation of Spirit Week for over 100 years, why does this tradition still feel so alive?  

Maybe you remember themes from last year? Or how the hallways looked? Do you remember who won each category? Or who won the whole thing? Maybe you remember something altogether different.  

The tradition of spirit week isn’t about repeating the past. It’s about carrying something forward that mattered to people who were here before you whether they are SJA alumni from one year ago, 10 years ago, or even 100 years ago —and making it matter more by making it matter to us. Spirit Week remains an important tradition because of the energy, creativity, and fun that each generation brings to it. 

So, here’s my challenge to you. Next week, go all in. Wear an awesome theme day outfit – but don’t stop there – wear awesome theme day outfits (plural). Help your class by showing up to work on your hallway or float. If you haven’t ever been to anything ‘spirit week’ related, go to something – for 30 minutes. Contribute an idea. Ask how you can help. If you aren’t interested in being in your class skit, ask the people who are if they need help practicing lines. There is a place for all of you in the fun and joy of this week.   

More than any of the stuff that you will create or build – you can impact each other.  When you see a classmate who may feel a little nervous entering the room where people are writing the skit or trying to figure out how to join in the assembly of the hallway, be the friendly face that makes it easy for them to stay instead of walking away. Don’t let people decide that this isn’t for them. Be a steward of our traditions in the way that only you can – by being you. 

Ten years from now, you’re going to remember Spirit Week. You’re going to remember your class, your friends, the costumes and the way the float and hallway came together. And the students who will sit in these same seats one year, 10 years, or 100 years from now? They’re going to hear the stories. They’re going to ask, “What was Spirit Week like when you were here?” 

What story are you going to tell them? 

This is our spirit week. 

This is our tradition. 

Let’s honor the tradition by making it unforgettable.