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StuCo posts Instagram Cameos to encourage “Not Spirit Week” participation

Seth+Friend+%28%E2%80%9922%29+and+Baxter+John+%28%E2%80%9922%29+bring+in+alternative+methods+of+carrying+school+supplies+on+Anything+But+a+Backpack+Day+Feb.+17.+Students+had+the+opportunity+to+dress+up+and+win+spirit+points+for+their+grade.+To+encourage+participation%2C+Cameo+videos+of+public+figures+were+posted+on+the+StuCo+instagram+page.
Cameron Spurr
Seth Friend (’22) and Baxter John (’22) bring in alternative methods of carrying school supplies on Anything But a Backpack Day Feb. 17. Students had the opportunity to dress up and win spirit points for their grade. To encourage participation, Cameo videos of public figures were posted on the StuCo instagram page.

In an email sent to the school community Feb. 11, the Student Council announced the postponement of Spirit Week to May 23-27 “due to ASL’s guidelines.” 

Instead of traditional Spirit Week activities, such as games and competitions held during a High School assembly, StuCo members adapted the week of Feb. 14 into “Not Spirit Week.” Throughout this week, students had the opportunity to earn spirit points for their grade, according to StuCo Vice President Maddie Wilkin (’22).

As a result of the postponement of the official Spirit Week, Wilkin said StuCo members were looking for a new way to engage students. She said they decided to pay for Cameo videos, an online service where people can receive personalized videos from public figures. 

“We tried to come up with this idea of using the Cameos as a way for people to be more excited and upbeat about something going on without having to all gather in the same space,” she said.

In an Instagram post, StuCo featured messages from public figures including Dr. Holly Hatcher-Frazier from the show “Dance Moms” and a viral Ed Sheeran impersonator. Wilkin said students received the most positive feedback about Hatcher-Frazier’s video where she encouraged students to dress up in black and orange for the homecoming basketball games Feb. 16.

Despite the videos’ popularity, Wilkin said school spirit remained below the council’s expectation.

“Our turnout of people dressing up and participating is a little bit lower than I would have anticipated,” she said. “In comparison to last year and especially the beginning of this year, it has definitely heightened and improved.”

Overall, Wilkin said students should work toward creating more of a balance between academics and other activities, rather than relying on school spirit to be generated solely from StuCo.

“Our school can do a better job of cultivating a place where kids can have fun and learn,” she said.

Not Spirit Week Calendar

Clara Martinez
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About the Contributors
Clara Martinez, Editor-in-Chief
Clara Martinez (’24) is the Editor-in-Chief for The Standard. She began journalism as an editor of the Middle School newspaper The Scroll and joined The Standard in Grade 9. Martinez is drawn to investigative news stories and profiles, although she does enjoy producing the occasional broadcast or photo gallery. In or out of the newsroom, she can always be found with a pocket-sized notebook and pen in hand.
Cameron Spurr, Editor-in-Chief
Cameron Spurr (’22) is the Editor-in-Chief of The Standard. He joined staff in Grade 9 as a staff writer and became News Editor: Print the following year. In Grade 11, Spurr was the Lead News Editor. He found a passion for journalism early in high school, and always strives to be a quality source of information for his readers.

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