Growing up in the South, it's all about Friday night football games. In my case, my high was too small to have football, we were all about basketball. Everyone would attend. If you didn't go, someone would notice and ask where you were. It was THE social event of the week to attend. School spirit was a must.
During "Spirit Week" leading up to Homecoming (Colors Day), we had dress up days. Hippie Day, Nerd Day, Zombie Day, Dress as your favorite teacher day, and finally, Green and White Day on Friday. The entire school would be jittery with excitement. The band would practice hard, and perform their best when the coveted pep rallies and games came to start. Being a band geek, something about the rhythm of the drums would get me so excited and I would beam with pride. Win or lose, everyone had a good time. Cheering, eating some unhealthy concession stand food, hollering at the refs, It was just something that would've made my high school experience incomplete.
Now that I'm a junior in college, I've lost my peppiness. I don't regularly attend many athletic events at my college, but when I do, others don't seem to be as excited as we might have been in high school. Sure the wrestling team frequently paints their chests and attends some games, but I just don't feel the pride and excitement as I used to. It applies to all areas of the school, not just athletics. We should be proud of the accomplishments of all of the clubs and organizations.
Going to a private Christian college has been a great experience and I love it. Most students here know what a revival in church is. It can liven up an otherwise dying congregation. We need a School Spirit Revival. We've lost camaraderie in the transition to college. I want to be proud of the Williams Baptist College Eagles, but trying to do it alone isn't very fun. It's about the excitement among friends and memories you make.
I want to graduate from here and brag to others how amazing things were here, but we are losing our pep. This isn't just my college I'm referring to. It's every college. Now if you attend a big university, you may feel differently. It's easier to cheer for a team everyone already cheers for. In larger universities, living in the same state as it, can make you be fans and cheer. You have lots of people to cheer with you and to share those memories.
Back to a smaller college viewpoint, think back to how excited everyone was in high school about events and the pride you felt then. Do you honestly feel the same amount of gratification? We are all too focused on the future and where we will be after graduation and what your spring break and summer plans are. Let's bring back living in the moment and feeling proud of our schools and churches.
