Cranberry student Scott Finch’s entry for “Wilderness Day”. More photos from spirit week are at the end of the story. (Photo contributed by Scott Finch)
By HANNAH NIEDERRITER
Student contributor
With the national lockdown and minimal interaction between people due to COVID-19, Cranberry Junior Senior High School’s Student Council and journalism/publications class set out to change things up with a completely virtual spirit week. Looking back on the past week, it’s clear as day how successful and meaningful this event was and how it will continue to impact the future.
The idea for this event first originated from Cranberry’s JPUB and English teacher, Trisha Dixon, who also acted as a judge and supervisor of the virtual spirit week’s marketing and advertising. She then contacted another teacher of Cranberry High School, Heather Motter, who acted as a judge and organizer of the spirit week.
“One morning I was thinking ‘How can we help cheer up our seniors and bring back a little happiness to our students?’ Then the idea of having a virtual spirit week came to mind, so I called Mrs. Motter and we got things started,” Dixon explained.
Cranberry’s spirit week began on Monday, April 20 and spanned through Saturday, April 25, each day possessing a different theme that was brainstormed on a Zoom call. The themes included “Picture with your Pet” on Monday, “TikTok Tuesday,” “Wilderness Day” on Wednesday, “Build a Fort” on Thursday, “Formal Dress” Friday, and “Holiday Celebration” on Saturday.
According to Dixon, it would’ve been nearly impossible to pull this spirit week off without the generous contributions of JPUB students. In particular, Nick Richar, Ava Fischer, and Jillian Plummer were heavily involved in the planning, daily advertising, and posting of content for Cranberry’s first virtual spirit week.
When taking a look at the sheer number of entries and participants, it’s clear to see how impactful and successful this event was. In total, there were over 320 entries, 60% being people in the Cranberry community, 30% being guests or those in communities outside of Cranberry’s district, and 10% being faculty. The most popular of the days by far was “Picture with your Pet,” amassing a total of 87 entries. Thanks to all this support and participation, more than $300 raised by Student Council was able to be donated to local nonprofit organizations.
Saige Slater, president of Cranberry’s Student Council and important contributor to the event, remarked on this success by stating, “I think virtual spirit week went better than what any of us could have ever expected! So many people took part and were genuinely excited about the competition and the prizes!”
Beyond just numbers, this spirit week was able to stir people to action, bringing together friends, families, and entire communities. Some joined the fun simply for the prizes offered to winners based on criteria of the theme, clarity, and creativity, while others, especially seniors, felt it was a way to alleviate the sadness of a shortened school year. Quite a few members of the public also wanted to support the school and local nonprofit organizations that received donations.
Students expressed great enthusiasm to reconnect with their peers and teachers, even if it was just through a digital device, and teachers were more than pleased to bring smiles to their students’ faces once again.
As said by student Alyssa Wright, a Monday through Friday participant of spirit week, “We all miss being around our peers, and this was a way to kind of show everyone that we’re still a family. As it (the virtual spirit week) was open to everyone, it sort of gave everyone a sense of belonging in the community just by being involved.”
Although not everyone took part in the theme each day, there were many onlookers in the public who simply enjoyed watching participants get involved with their community and the outdoors. Julie Howard, a mother of two Cranberry graduates, was especially supportive of all involved.
She elaborated that this virtual spirit week was an “ingenious idea to help to get everyone outdoors and enjoy some fresh air during our self isolation period,” noting that she’s convinced “we all will come out of this self-isolation with at least one positive experience that we never expected.”
Although Cranberry’s first ever virtual spirit week has concluded, there are many more bright opportunities in the near future for children and adults alike. When students were questioned as to whether or not they wanted more virtual spirit events, the answer was a resounding yes. Following the overwhelming support of the community, a myriad of positive feedback, and a plethora of thank-yous, it has been decided that there will be a spirit day every Wednesday beginning on May 6 with the theme of crazy hair.
This time may be unpredictable and tumultuous, filled with uncertainties and losses, but that doesn’t mean we can’t make the most of this isolation. More than ever, people are trying to reconnect with their friends, families, and communities over digital platforms. Even though the news can be plagued by negativity, we at Cranberry aim to be a beacon of hope and happiness, and we hope to see further participation in spirit days for the foreseeable future. Together we are strong, and together we are Cranberry.
Riley and Raegan Antrilli, Cranberry Elementary students, pose in their formal wear for “Formal Friday” during Virtual Spirit Week. (Photo contributed by Ryan Antrilli)
Celebrating Christmas in April is Alexis Reisinger, a Cranberry student, who participated in Cranberry’s virtual spirit week every day. (Photo contributed by Alexis Reisinger)
Cranberry student Drue Perry was a winner for “Picture with your Pet” day showing her Cranberry spirit along with her dogs. (Photo contributed by Paula Perry)
Senior at Cranberry High School, Austin Seigworth shows us how to camp out by making a winning fort on “Build a Fort” day. (Photo contributed by Austin Seigworth)
Hannah Niederriter is a student at Cranberry High School and a member of Cranberry Chronicles, the school’s journalism/publications class.
