Pirate Pride: Student Participation in Spirit Week

SLAY. Sophomores posing for the last day of spirit week, Pink Out! This shows the students excitement for spirit week. Photo courtesy of Gloria Erickson.

Every year, Vashon Islands high school participates in a spirit week in preparation for the upcoming homecoming football game and dance. As well as a couple other times throughout the year that lead up the dances and big school events to and spirit and excitement to the High School. 

Spirit weeks are a fun way to get students involved with the school in a more interactive and positive way. It includes fun outfits and different ways to be interactive within the school, like assemblies, votes, posters, and other hands-on activities. Many students look forward to these weeks since they help to make the days feel a little faster. 

Some Vashon High School students share their views and opinions on spirit weeks. 

"I like spirit week, it's a fun and different way to get excited for upcoming games or dances.” said Lilly Sternberg. 

Another student from Vashon high school shared some of her favorite memories from our last spirit week. 

“Most of my friends dressing up as frat boys was pretty memorable,” said Maude Jackson.

Although many kids enjoy it, there are also many students who choose not to participate. This could be for many reasons such as lack of interest, not enough time to prepare or not having clothes fitting the category. One Vashon Island High School student talked about one of the reasons for not participating in spirit week. 

“I didn't have clothes that fit every day of spirit week, like I don't own any pink clothes,” said Henry Hughes. 

But there are also things for students to participate in that aren't just making outfits. Spirit week not only has fun dress-up days, but also usually has fun school activities to go along with it. For example, there is usually a gym assembly on the last day of the week, with friendly competition between grades with things like tug of war, musical chairs, and much more. Spirit week often ends with a game a few hours after the school day ends. People dress up and go all out with loud cheering and action in the stands from adults, students, cheerleaders and the team. 

Spirit week also takes a lot of behind-the-scenes work. Our high school's ASB team works hard to bring this fun, interactive, and inclusive spirit week to the school. 

“We wanted to make sure the themes were fun and easy for everyone to participate in,” said Gloria Erickson, a member of ASB. ASB’s commitment to the school is shown through the fun posters they make, their participation in the themes throughout the week and through all of the planning that makes assemblies happen and creativity to come up with the themes. 

Spirit week is a great way to bring together students of different ages and groups together. It helps students to use their creativity with outfits, assembly games, and other activities made to bring the students together and help students to make new friends and bonds with the people around them.