It’s the night before your first day of high school. You’re excited to start this new chapter in your life, but you’re also simultaneously freaking out about your outfit, where you’ll sit at lunch, what backpack is acceptable, if your folders are too brightly colored, etc. Luckily for everyone with a similar thought process to this, South is a school where “all-out” culture is normalized. In order to keep this tradition alive, The Dragon’s Tale has a call to action to underclassmen to join in on the fun.
Spirit Weeks
One of the most important aspects of life at South are the various Spirit Weeks. Generally, Spirit Weeks take place in the week leading up to a big rivalry game. The Senior Spirit Representatives, in collaboration with the Senior Class Officers, work hard to create themed spirit days that every student can enjoy.
Blake Dickamore (12), one of the Senior Spirit Representatives, discusses the importance of students making the effort to participate in Spirit days, saying it’s imperative to “represent our community and school.”
Dickamore also wants to encourage underclassmen to participate, even though freshmen are often unsure of going full out is perceived by other members of the school community. Dickamore’s advice is “get out of your comfort zone.”
Senior Class President, Elle Jones, recalls how she was also hesitant to fully engage in spirit weeks as a freshman. Jones states “I think freshman and sophomore year I don’t know that I really did anything unless it was like wearing black and I could do that.” However, like so many other upperclassmen, Jones now feels more confident participating in spirit days, saying “but now as I’m a senior I’m like it’s my last year I’ve got to go for it you know?”
Student Sections
In addition to the spirit weeks at SOHS, students should also fully commit to the student section themes during sporting events. One of the best ways to add to the enjoyment of a game is to participate in this community of students who are coming together to support and celebrate what it means to be a Dragon.
The theme for each game is generally announced well in advance, so students have plenty of time to prepare. Themes have ranged from black outs, to the Dragon’s Lair, to USA out, etc. While it’s encouraged to participate, SOHS is the home of several dragons who are known to go full out. Jackson Lanham (11) said that on a scale of 1-5 for how involved he gets for student section themes, he would say a “solid 6.” Dragon’s Tale asked Lanham about his participation plans this year, and he declared that “If South gets a home playoff game I’m shaving my head bald.” Lanham, who first gained recognition for his spirit as a sophomore, has some strong advice for the underclassmen. Lanham said “ I’d say it’s probably more embarrassing if you don’t dress up, and if you go all out you’re cooler than everybody else.”
Dragon’s Tale interviewed Katelyn Diehlman (12) about how she’s going to participate as a senior vs an underclassman. Diehlman states, “Previous years I’ve gone a 2 or a 3, but this year is a 5 because it’s senior year because it’s hype, and the school is hype, and it’s really fun.” When asked why she didn’t engage as much as an underclassmen, Diehlman states “I was just nervous the other years.” It is common to be nervous as an underclassmen, but the majority of seniors said that they wish they would’ve gotten more involved in school spirit in past years; they were just too nervous to.
Extra-Curriculars
Alongside fun student sections and spirit weeks, there is a vast pool of extra-curriculars that all students should feel welcome to join. There are clubs and activities for everyone, so every Dragon has a community to call their second family. SOHS holds pride in maintaining a strong sense of community, so there are clubs that range from con club, chess club, marching band, football, and more.
The Dragon’s Tale surveyed the underclassmen regarding how connected they feel to SOHS, and if they felt like it was easy to get involved. While joining new activities with older students can be intimidating, it may be comforting to know that %84 percent of underclassmen that we surveyed said that they felt connected to life at SOHS. We asked students to go more in depth and let us know why they answered the way that they did.
Cooper Sedoria (9) is involved in football and baseball. Sedoria says “I have a friend that’s like a brother, and his name is Boone Dillon and he helps me with everything.” Boone Dillon is a Senior, and Sedoria’s connection to an upperclassmen is a good representation of how kind and welcoming the Dragon community is. He makes it clear that we’re all family.
Lily Goeing (9) is involved in ASL Club, Interact Club, and SSA Choir. Goeing tells The Dragon’s Tale “I feel like I’m still getting used to the school fully, but there’s such amazing people and teachers and Kegan Muth has helped me a lot and he brightens my day.” While Goeing isn’t involved in sports, she’s still having fun and getting involved in the SOHS community through all of the amazing clubs the school has to offer.
It’s amazing to hear how incoming freshmen have found positive Dragon role models who have incorporated them into life at SOHS. When you walk through the hallways, you’re guaranteed to cross paths with hundreds of kids who are always willing to help and want to get you involved. Dragons are kind, outgoing, and fun people. SOHS wants underclassmen to realize that they are just as important as the upperclassmen, and you shouldn’t wait to get involved and have fun. The Dragon’’s Tale wants to let everyone know that spirit and fun themes are for everyone, not just seniors who have “little to lose.” Dragons are fun all 4 years of high school, not just when it comes to their last year in the dragon lair.
