After an exciting homecoming week, school spirit levels are still not as high as they should be, but are showing signs of improvement.
Significantly more students chose to dress up in the spirit week themes than in previous years. One reason for this change may be that the themes were easy and exciting.
In the past, themes like “Little Miss” and “Barbenheimer” saw much less participation than this year; however, most students still chose not to participate.
The voting for class spirit ambassadors also had significantly more participants. Three years ago, freshmen had no students run for spirit ambassadors; instead, representatives had to be assigned.
However, all four classes had more than enough spirit ambassador nominees this year.
Additionally, hardly any students attended the football game on Saturday morning. While the game was at an obscure time, it seemed like students would show up to the homecoming game. Considering the game was a rivalry, the turnout was disappointing.
When looking at the homecoming dance, participation declines as students age up. Once upperclassmen, students tend not to go to the dance at all.
Though many upperclassmen did not attend, the dance still got a good turnout. While attendance is promising for future NC events, the question remains as to whether the classes in attendance at the dance will continue to attend down the road.
Even with improvement in homecoming spirit week and the dance itself, NC falls short in spirit compared to neighboring schools. A key reason could be our lack of spirit-related activities for the entire school.
In the past, the administration hosted pep rallies at the football stadium. With a brand new stadium and a new principal, it seems the administration would revive this tradition to excite students for events such as homecoming.
However, considering no current class at NC has experienced an NC pep rally, the concept seemed off the table. Principal Jagga Rent was not even approached with the topic when he started at NC.
Not only that, but class cheers have diminished.
Upon beginning at NC, especially during Panther Quest, freshmen are told that each class has their chant. The goal was for each class to compete in chanting the loudest at events.
Inter-school competition between classes can help boost school spirit, as seen in the success of the spirit ambassador race last week.
Competitions motivate students to come together as a graduating class and a school. However, lacking pep rallies and class chants diminishes this possibility.
Other schools show much more school spirit. They have large turnouts for football games – home and away – and host pep rallies and parades.
Take Carmel. Even after the football game moved to Saturday morning, their stands greatly outnumbered NC even with the game being away for Carmel students.
For NC to excite the student body and draw in students, the administration should consider making some changes to boost school spirit.
Throughout October, we will share sixteen school spirit ideas for the administration – and students – to consider.
School spirit is increasing, but there is more work to do to reach the level NC should be at. As one of the largest schools in Indiana, improvement is needed.
