By: Julia Garelick

This school year is very different from previous years at High School East. Typically, our annual spirit week is conducted in the fall, but with the rise of COVID, we celebrated spirit week a little differently this year! Instead of one continuous week of spirit days, each spirit day was held twice so both cohorts could get the chance to participate and show their HSE pride. Instead of spirit week, the 2020 version felt more like a spirit month!

Student government members, along with their advisors, came up with unique themes for this year’s spirit days. On Thursday, November 12, and Friday, November 13, students chose their best gear to represent the iconic decade of the 1980s. Country Western days were held Thursday, November 29, and Friday, November 30. On this day, students and teachers from High School East wore flannels and cowboy boots with their big belt buckles and hats. Then, on December 3rd and 4th, students and staff participated in the beloved Pajama Day. After returning from Thanksgiving break, students, and teachers, wore their favorite pair of cozy pajamas to school! On Twin and Triplet Day, December 10th and 11th, students and teachers dressed up wearing the same, or similar outfits. Finally, on December 17th and 18th, students were scheduled to wear Holiday gear or ugly sweaters, preparing for our Winter break. Winter came a little early, and we ended up with a snow day on the 17th, so students donned their holiday best on the 18th. Some students even participated virtually! 

Despite the unique situation of this year, it was amazing to see students unite and show their school spirit. Although the unprecedented circumstances accounted for a change in tradition, High School East stayed optimistic and still made Spirit Week as fun and festive as always.

Photos courtesy of HSE Instagram.