Spirit week: It is the one week in the school year that everyone looks forward to. It is a time when it is socially acceptable to look completely outrageous in order to show class spirit. It creates long-lasting memories that we will remember forever. It is impossible trying to explain spirit week to my friends who don’t go to Sacred Heart; they don’t understand the tradition and the friendly competition. This Spirit Week being my third, I feel like my class, the Class of 2016, has really bonded and become united.

On Monday morning, the energy in the air was palpable, each grade propelled to look cohesive and win. I thought we did a great job with our theme of Jake from State Farm, each junior looking identical with a red polo and khakis. Even though we didn’t win for the dress up, we were the only class to get re tweeted by the Jake from State Farm agent! During Musical Chairs, Danielle Rizzitelli, Kaitlin D’Agostino, and Joy Alino, did a great job fighting for a chair while the juniors in the stands encouraged them with their cheers.

On Tuesday in homeroom, it looked like I had been transported back to the 1980s. The juniors wore leather jackets with 80s bands T-shirts complete with dark make up and teased hair. We looked like the epitome of 80s Rock. At break, we half screamed, half sang songs like, “We Will Rock You” and “I Love Rock N Roll.” Our energy and spirit was at an all-time high. During the afternoon activity, Finish that Lyric, Olivia Defillipo and Sarah Ferrie killed it. Once again, we failed to win the dress up, but in my eyes, we were the real winners.

Wednesday was States Day, and all of the juniors looked beautiful as Miss New Jersey with their tiaras and sashes. We went through the day with grace and elegance as any beauty pageant winner should. While I love the class competition, I also love the student-faculty wiffle ball game. For this activity, we do not root just for our class; we vote for everyone. I think it is important to show our support and love for other classes. This activity not only brings class unity, but school-wide unity as well. Once more,  the juniors did not win the competition, leaving only two days left to make our mark.

Thursday was a throwback to the awkward days of  Junior High for the Class of 2016. We were all rocking the side ponytails, bad makeup and Aeropostale clothes. At break, we got to do the “Hoedown Throwdown” by Hannah Montana, a dance I haven’t done since middle school.  Our class skit, “Keeping up with SHA” was hilarious and such an accurate portrayal of all of the grades. We owe special thanks to Christine Walsh for directing and for all of the hard work she put into it. Unfortunately, we won neither the dress up nor the skit that day. By Thursday night, the juniors were feeling discouraged. We had only one more day left and we all wanted to win so badly.

On Friday morning, we were determined to win. With our hair in french braids and our army gear on, we all looked cohesive and were hopeful. At break, our drill sergeants, Anna Garbolski and Emily Velez, led us in military cheers as we marched down the middle of the cafeteria. Our spirit was incredible, and I can honestly say my throat hurt from screaming so much. Finally, the last activity of spirit week, dance crew. The juniors had prepared for two weeks in advance, and it showed. Our dance crew looked professional and impressed all the students as well as the teachers. The army theme along with the State Farm finale  was genius. When it was announced that we won both the dress up and dance crew, the juniors went wild! All our hard work and determination had paid off as the juniors left spirit week with a bang. I am so proud of how far my class has come in terms of unity and bonding.  As spirit week sadly came to a close, the juniors realized that next year will be our last spirit week at SHA. All the classes did a fantastic job with their creative themes and class spirit. The faculty also did a great job of dressing up in their original Men In Black theme! The seniors did a great job leading the school this week; Shout out to Brooke Lotto and her cow bell! I hope that next year, we can have as much excitement and spirit as they do. Thanks to STUCO and the junior class officers for making this spirit week unforgettable. Class of 2016 is here to leave a legacy… “Imma let you finish, but 2016 is the best class of all time!!!”