Cranberry students plan virtual school spirit week

Cranberry High School students are inviting the community to join them this week as they celebrate a virtual school spirit week.

“We always have a huge spirit week in March put on by the student council. The teachers really get into it,” Trisha Dixon, a high school English language arts teacher and the advisor for the school’s journalism class, said.

The school also holds a canned food drive to support a local charity.

This year’s spirit week festivities were suspended last month because of the school shutdown, then Dixon had an idea. After multiple Zoom calls the student council and journalism class teamed to plan the virtual spirit week.

“There is a really great connection between the student council and JPUB (the journalism and publishing class). The students are working together and working hard,” Heather Motter, a high school English language arts teacher and student council advisor, said.

The journalism class had the technology to reach many people and student council had already raised funds for the week, Motter said.

Senior Saige Slater, the student council president, said planning the week gives her something to do during the shutdown.

“It’s a weird time. It’s the best time to change things up and try something new,” Slater said.

Something new this year is prizes, Slater said. Three prizes will be given each day to participants – two to those within the school and one to a member of the community.

Students and community members who take a picture and post it on social media with #berryspirit will be entered to win a prize.

On a day when 50 or more people participate, student council will donate $50 to the charity of the day.

“A lot of this couldn’t have happened at school. Like pet day. There was no way everyone could bring their pets to school but this way we get to see pictures of everyone’s pets,” Slater said.

“We don’t have a theme this year, anyone can do what they want. It is something fun,” Slater said.

The virtual spirit week will run from April 20 to 26. Each day will have a theme.

Prizes will be mailed to winners.

Here’s what planned each day this week:

Monday – Take a picture with your pet and post it. Money raised will go to the Venango County Humane Society

Tuesday – Post a video on TikTok with #berryspirit. Money raised will go to the Oil City Arts Council.

Wednesday – Take a picture outside with a tree for Earth Day and post it. Money raised will go to Cranberry Little League and Cranberry Girls Softball League.

Thursday – Build a fort inside, take a picture and post it. Money raised will go to Youth Connection (formerly Big Brothers Big Sisters).

Friday – For formal Friday dress up, take a picture and post it. Money raised will go to Jamie’s Kids.

Saturday – Decorate for and celebrate your favorite holiday. Take a picture and post it. Money raised will go to the Cranberry Food Pantry.