At Longwood University, there is a high-held regard towards tradition. In some ways, our traditions commend what it means to truly be a Lancer. Although many traditions are built with aged sentiment, sometimes newer silly traditions can put smiles on the faces of students as well. One major establishment of the traditional rituals here occurs during Spirit Week and Oktoberfest. I hope this paint-splattered tradition excites you as much as it does for me.
Even before I applied to Longwood, I had heard about some of the many valued traditions here. For instance, we do NOT by any means ever step on the blue rotunda that is painted on various sidewalks of our campus. We do step on the crowns for good luck, but stepping on the rotunda is just plain blasphemy in our midst. It's funny how paint plays such a prominent role in the ways of Longwood.
Now during Spirit Week, students have to wear certain colors or different Longwood related shirts for each different day of the week. Then on Friday, we participate in a rambunctious activity called Color Wars. In the most basic definition, Color Wars could be seen as a hands-on form of outdoor paintball. Although there is a little more detail thrown in, no pun intended. Depending on the student's grade, those who graduate in an even-numbered year are members of the Red Class, and they wear their t-shirts like the one pictured above. Those graduate in an odd-numbered year wear are members of the Green Class, and they wear their t-shirts to the long-awaited event each year.
As for the actual 'war' itself, students gather up in a large, open space or field. Wearing the class t-shirts is an important element, almost like the soldier uniform for a paint-hurdling college student who is prepared to bombard their friends with a splash of paint to the face. Then, of course, the games begin. The shirt pictured above may be white, but after Color Wars, it is red, green and blue!
I have always felt a special place in my heart for Longwood University. That is why the traditions mean so much to a lot of us students here. We take pride in our school, and the traditions help cement that pride for us as well. Color Wars is an amazing unique tradition at Longwood University, and it helps to show people what the different parts of being a Lancer mean at the end of the day. I absolutely love this silly paint explosion of a tradition, and I hope my fellow Lancers do too!
