Spiritless in Silver Spring

It's homecoming week and we all know what that means. Daily announcements advertising tickets, tailgating before the game and, of course, girls going crazy over dress shopping for the dance. But wait, what's that other thing that happens this week, where people dress up and show their Blazer pride? Hint: It starts with school, and ends with week. But what's missing in the middle…? Oh yeah, spirit.

Looking around Blair, it's hard to miss the signs announcing the themes of each day located all over Blair Boulevard, down the main staircase and strategically positioned by bathrooms and water fountains. Even if students manage to miss the posters, there is always an announcement each afternoon about the next day's attire. And in case a particular Blazer happens to be living under a rock, yellow handouts were distributed on Monday about the week's happenings (not to mention that it's on the Blair homepage, as well as SGA's Facebook group). Being uninformed is simply not an excuse. So why is it that out of 3,000 students, there are more teeth in your mouth than there were superheroes in the halls?

Blair has plenty to be proud about. Students are achieving on all fronts: in the classrooms, on the field, on the courts and on stage. Sure, Blair happens to be the place we are mandated to spend six hours and 45 minutes each day glancing at the clock once every minute or two, praying for the moment when it finally hits 2:10. But Blair is a lot like our second home, the place we can't wait to leave but will surely miss when we're gone. The same spirit heard chanting "You Wish You Were a Blazer" after a big game should be transmitted to participation throughout spirit weeks.

The SGA tries hard each year to come up with new themes for the week to inspire Blazers' particpation. After all, there can only be so many Wacky Tacky days before wackiness is worn-out. Students, myself included, complain that the days are too complex, that not everyone has a cape or knows what a kindergartner dresses like.

In reality, however, it's not about the themes, it's about heart. If Blazers don't care about their school, it is reflected in everything they do. No school spirit means lack of camaraderie among students, disconnect between staff members and even more out of the loop parents.

School should be a lot more than essays and late night cramming. It's a place where you have friendships and memories that will last a lifetime. It's the place you'll remember thirty years down the road and tell your own children to cherish as they grow up. Dressing up for spirit week is a lot more than looking ridiculous for the day. It's making a commitment to your school. It's saying, "I go to Blair and I'm proud." Otherwise, you might as well go to Northwood.