SIS students and faculty alike lament the lack of school spirit. The bleachers during sports games remain sparsely populated, and scored points are rarely met with cheers. Pep rallies, intended to recognize student athletes and boost school morale, are often brushed off as events of little significance. Spirit days see meager student participation, with only a few donning the familiar orange and black; even the various overseas trip opportunities offered by different clubs and classes see limited participation.
“I can see a lack of school spirit,” Nydia Hernandez, HS counselor, said. “On game days, you do not really see many students attending. No one participates in Spirit Week or wears anything orange. What other day could you wear your pajamas to school?”
The HSSC and other student leaders meticulously plan the various spirit events that the school hosts, aiming to strengthen the school’s sense of community. Others honor a larger purpose, as last year’s Mental Health Awareness Spirit Week did, emphasizing the importance of caring for mental health. However, many students view them as unnecessary disruptions to their everyday routine, disregarding their original intent.
Beyond in-school spirit events, several student-led initiatives, such as the recent HSSC Media Literacy Week and community service trips, often fail to receive sufficient recognition from the student body. The school supports and funds these ventures because they provide a space for students to come together for a common cause, but the trips see limited participation, even from members of clubs associated with the trips.
“I think that sometimes, we tend to focus on our individual tasks rather than what is happening around us,” Irene Joh (10), HSSC member, said. “That can mean that we miss out on important community events.”
The hyper-competitive academic environment in SIS may contribute to this issue. Most students choose to study for their next test rather than plan an outfit for spirit week or attend school lectures rather than miss important summatives for school functions.
According to this TedEx video on tribal leadership and the types of tribes that people naturally form, this is common. Stage 3 of tribal formation is “I’m Great,” in which each member of the tribe measures themselves against each other—a trend that is especially prevalent in settings with smart, driven people. It is most difficult, the TedEx speaker affirms, to move from this stage to Stage 4, or “We’re Great.” In this stage, individuals find values that can unify them as a group, allowing them to appreciate others.
Ms. Hernandez agreed that while focusing on academics is a reasonable decision, especially given the SIS curriculum’s rigor, students’ competitive zeal could extend beyond academics into social activities.
“Pep rallies are meant to be loud,” Ms. Hernandez said. “You’re supposed to cheer and scream. At my high school, we would wear face paint and sports jerseys. It is the little things throughout the year that foster an environment of togetherness.”
Some students may also be unaware of the purpose of these events. In particular, it may be their first experience with spirit events, as school sports and spirit culture tend to be more typically American, and they may be unfamiliar with the expectations that come with them. This cultural contrast could make students uncomfortable or self-conscious when engaging so openly with others.
In such cases, it becomes increasingly more important to focus on the small efforts to support the school rather than a complete turnaround of the nature of SIS. Beyond showing up at games or participating in Spirit Days, students can take a small, perhaps unnecessary—but significant—extra step.
“At rallies or games, I see most people on their phones rather than watching the game,” Katie Hong (10), varsity soccer player, said. “No one really cheers at them, either, unless it is for their close friends. I would like to see more people participating actively in these school-wide events. I think students could wear the tiger colors or make signs with the athletes’ names on them on game days.”
Ultimately, the issue of school spirit cannot be easily resolved, as it demands a shift in the mindset of the student body. However, through persistent care and attention to the various spirit events already offered by the school, students can cultivate a deeper appreciation for the effort behind the scenes and help to build school rapport.
