In preparation for the Winter Formal, ASB (Associated Student Body) has been planning a spirit week to build up spirit on campus.

Spirit weeks typically include dress-up themes relating to the bigger theme of the dance. The theme for the winter formal is Meet Me at Midnight. All of the “spirit days” relate to this bigger theme.

For our first spirit day, we have “Night Owl Monday”.

The instructions are to wear pajamas. Pajama Day is always a student favorite. Getting to come to school in comfy, cozy, chic is always appreciated. Paired with the pajamas, ASB provides a “counting sheep” activity. The point is to guess the amount of cotton balls in a jar.

Tuesday is “Lights Out Day.”

Students dress in all black representing the sky! Picking easy colors such as blackout is crucial to make sure all students can participate. The lunchtime activity is a blindfolded obstacle course.

Wednesday is “Nights Below 0.”

Students are to wear snow gear. Because semester one ended before winter break we didn’t get a winter spirit week, so we incorporated a favorite from winter spirit week. Big fuzzy hats, jackets, and scarves, are always a funny sight for our tropical climate at Patrick Henry. At lunch, we have a snowboard simulator in the quad.

Thursday’s theme is “In My Dreams Day.”

Focusing on future possible careers and colleges. Students dressed up in work attire and college gear. In the quad at lunch, we have a good game of “Name That Tune.” Students try to guess the song as fast as possible. The songs are all popular college game day songs.

Friday is “Follow the Northern Lights” better known as Green and Gold Days.

Although we have Green and Gold Fridays every Friday, students usually bring their all for pep rallies. We can expect to see face paint, glitter, sports uniforms, and lots of Green and Gold!

A reminder of the importance of spirit on campus

The development of school spirit is one of ASB’s primary missions, as it is a crucial part of the high school experience. The adolescent stresses of figuring yourself out compounded with maintaining your academics, social life, and planning your future is a struggle that every high school student can relate to in some form.

To have spirit is to channel this stressful energy of high school into a positive outlet and inject a unifying and fun feeling of energy into the high school experience; to scream the stress of an upcoming test into the roar of cheering for our team at a football game.

Otherwise, the existentially dreadful qualities of high school will become overwhelming and issues such as burnout will become more prevalent.

Our spirit is what fosters our sense of community here at Patrick Henry, and the same is true for campuses all across the world.

Editor’s note: This article was written by Patrick Henry High students Caroline Casinghino and Eitan Tour.