Spirit week isn’t what it used to be- and it never has been.
Spirit Week at Oyster River is usually met with enthusiasm from students. The focus of this yearly tradition is to unite the school together to celebrate their spirit through fun games and events. Many reflect back on spirt week festivities long after they graduate, reminiscing on dressing up for theme days with their friends and of course, the pep rally and homecoming dance on the final day. However, there are concerns that recently, the morale that students bring to the spirit week festivities has dwindled, leading some students to feel that the essence of school spirit at ORHS has faded over time.
Lucky Muppala (’26), Junior class Vice President says, “These past few years, especially right out of COVID, we have not been representing spirit. Not many people go to sports games anymore. It’s just boring and all the stands are empty. So, we are thinking about ways how to bring that back.”
On the other hand, Alexander Eustace, an English teacher and Oyster River alum (‘14) says that students and teachers alike have been complaining about this for the entire time he’s been at ORHS, but from his perspective, nothing has majorly changed. “It’s pretty much the same, but everyone likes to say ‘ohh [spirit week was] so much better 10 years ago.’ I was here 10 years ago, and they were making the same claims.”
Although spirit week is supposed to be all fun and games, it’s no secret that there have been issues regarding over enthusiastic rivalries between classes. While competition between grade levels has always been a huge part of spirit week and is even encouraged during field games at the pep rally, some are concerned that it’s taking away from the purpose of school spirit, which is to unite everyone, not create more division.
Teagan Nadeau (’26), is a member of S.A.L.T (Student Athlete Leadership Team), which plays a huge role in the planning process of spirit week. She shares that the team is trying to promote the theme of school unity even more this year, after an eventful pep rally last year. “We want [spirit week] to improve school spirit… we’re promoting healthy competition and school spirit, but [we don’t want to be] putting anyone down,” Nadeau says.
While concerns regarding these rivalries may seem like a new thing, people have been pushing to shift the energy spirit week brings to ORHS since before any of the current students were even enrolled here.
Fiona Grove (‘17) is a new world language teacher this year and graduated from ORHS. She says, “At the time when I was a student, I think there was an effort from faculty and administration to change the energy–the atmosphere–that spirit created.” Grove continues on to say, “I think the rivalry that was created between class years and the hierarchy that comes from students of an older age getting all together and being one and looking down on younger students, wasn’t the kind of energy that the school was trying to create for a week that’s meant to celebrate school unity.”
Eustace agrees, reflecting on some of the issues spirit week has sparked throughout the years. He shares that he’s seen bullying during spirit week happen in a variety of forms throughout his time at Oyster River. He says, “If you have that sense of belonging, it gives you that opportunity to take away someone else’s sense of belonging.” Eustace shares that it’s often the people most invested in their class winning who end up ultimately putting other students down, intentionally or not.
Harrison Burnham (’25) feels differently however and thinks that class rivalries are a long-term tradition of spirit week and should be continued without restrictions. He shares how important it is to have a strong class bond and believes that the desire to win against other classes is just the motivation people need to participate more and show their spirit.
“It’s kind of tricky because on the one hand, it in theory can create a sense of stratification between the grades,” says Eustace. However, he also recognizes how competition can bring classes closer together. “Within the grades, it’s the shared obstacles; that shared overcoming that allows them to come together and recognize one another’s strengths and their interconnectedness,” Eustace says.
Nadeau also highlighted the importance of making sure all students feel involved and safe to participate. “We want kids to feel like it’s a week that that they are going to enjoy. We’re trying to make it so even if someone hates the loud, outgoing idea of the pep rally, that they’re still able to fit in in other aspects of the week.” For some, this can be as simple as showing their school spirit by participating in the daily themes throughout the week, even if they don’t attend the pep rally or homecoming dance.
As a quieter kid who disliked sports in high school, Grove shared that she often felt removed from spirit week as a student but regrets not participating more in the activities she did enjoy. “I do wish that I had taken the opportunity to dress up with my friends on the theme days. I love dressing up. I think it’s fun. And knowing myself and how I was, I wish I had just been a little bit less self-conscious and just participated and gone for it.”
Burnham also encourages newer students to participate as much as possible. Events like the pep rally and homecoming dance are such great opportunities to connect with your peers and have a fun high school experience. “Everyone’s trying to look as stupid as possible, so don’t be afraid to look stupid.”
Regardless of years past, spirit week remains a tradition that many students will remember long after their high school years, no matter how they choose to participate.
Muppala says, “Some people don’t like to be out there. Some people like to be crazy and go all out. But if everybody’s happy and smiling and just enjoying the week overall, I think that’s the biggest win.”
Spirit week may not be the same as it was last year- or 20 years ago, but the mission is still the same. To come together to celebrate our school spirit and have fun.
Photo Credit: ORHS yearbook club
-Jahrie Houle
Mouth of the River 
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