Spirit Week Raised Some Spirits

Alejandro Jaramillo and Shahem Albean

Spirit Week is a week-long event at DMAE promoted by the Student Council that celebrates school pride. Usually, students wear school colors and funky clothing items to show their school pride, but things were different this time around. In order to adapt to the standard of online schooling, the DMAE Student Council encouraged students to either wear the usual colorful and funky clothing items or change their background during class.

“I’m happy that it still took place, but I wish more students would have gotten on board,” Student Council Advisor Danielle O’Shea explained.

To incentivize students to participate in spirit week, the Council created a reward-based competition. Students who sent in pictures of themselves and their school spirit were entered into a raffle and had the chance to win $5 Amazon gift cards. Although not many students did so, those who did were really enthusiastic and put in a lot of effort to make virtual spirit week memorable.

“I had a lot of fun participating in our school’s first (and hopefully last) virtual spirit week!” junior Natalia Wojtala exclaimed.

A lot of time was put in by student council members, from meetings with principal Mr.Suro to after-school planning, but the results made them feel connected.

“I thought spirit week was enjoyable! Being part of the team that planned it and seeing the pictures that students submitted made all the planning worth it,” said senior Sienna Tu who is Student Council co-president.

The Student Council is constantly working on more ways to connect DMAE students.

“Student Council is currently launching a website with a communal calendar that will promote all club events on campus. And we’re also opening a virtual year-long merchandise store to get Raider gear even when it’s not through a fundraiser or sports team,” Ms.O’Shea said.