Students participate in Spirit Walk to hype first football home game

By Emily H, Harper M

On August 15, during the end of 4th block, students and teachers participated in a spirit walk to prepare for the football team’s first game. The football game was Airport vs May River. 

During the spirit walk, football players, cheerleaders, and members of the marching band walked through the halls to get everyone ready for the first football game this school year. The walk started at around 3:20 and was over by 3:30. 

Although Airport still lost the football game, the spirit walk still convinced many students to go to the game and represent their school. This shows how games aren’t all about winning but having fun and making memories with your friends. 

The football players walked through the halls and passed out shirts for the AHS varsity football team to rep the school. Many students caught these shirts and wore them to the game to represent Airport. 

Billy F, a freshman at Airport, said, “The spirit walk was a good use of class time.”

“The spirit walk convinced me to go to the game,” said Gio G. (sophomore).

Cheering on the football team isn’t just about sports. There are also mental health and academic implications for fostering school spirit.  From academic achievement to general happiness, there is a positive relationship to school spirit.  According to Varsity.com, 88% of students who say that they have school spirit are happier, 91% say they're more confident, and 91% associate their spirit with achievement.  This survey was done in 2014 and was conducted online by Harris Poll on behalf of Varsity Brands. 

According to Wikipedia and in agreement with the above information, pep rallies--and by extension other school spirit events--serve as a platform to showcase school pride. They often feature performances by cheerleaders, introductions of sports teams, and interactive games, all contributing to a heightened sense of school spirit among students.  

After the spirit walk, we wondered if there should be one for every football game. The next Pep Rally will be held September 26 for Homecoming.