So far this school year, Student Government has taken measured, realistic steps to improve school spirit on Mira Costa’s campus. Its efforts to pragmatically increase spirit on a campus that seems to lack spirit should be applauded.
Student Government recently announced the return of the Winter Formal dance, which will be held on a yacht this year. Drastically improving the venue of the Winter Formal (it was last held in a giant tent on the athletic fields three years ago) could turn a previously forgotten activity into one of Mira Costa’s most anticipated and exciting events of the school year.
A unique venue generates anticipation for any event, and the return of Winter Formal should be no exception. If Winter Formal proves successful this year, Student Government should consider finding a more exotic venue for the Homecoming dance than Fischer Gym.
Student Government has also taken note of what many campus leaders, administrators and teachers have said for so long: Costa’s strongest school spirit comes not from a general, vague enthusiasm for Mira Costa, but from loyalty and commitment to specific programs within the school.
To take advantage of this, Student Government recently proposed an annual rivalry competition with La Vista that the staff of this newspaper has wholeheartedly agreed to partake in. Main events include a scholar quiz match in the drama room and a canned food drive competition, of which all canned foods collected will
be donated to Student Government’s Operation Happiness Food Drive.
If this competition succeeds, Student Government should consider sponsoring more friendly competitions between other student organizations in order to foster more excitement and spirit around the Mira Costa campus. Future competitions should also include some sort of service involvement (like a canned food drive) in order to give back to the community.
In recent years, Student Government’s Stampede campaign has aimed to have a student section filled with Costa fans at most home sports games.
While Student Government has done an admirable job with the Stampede campaign, it will for the foreseeable future remain difficult to get already-busy students to attend weekday sporting events. Thus, it would be wise to look to expand school spirit in previously untapped areas, like student organizations.
By finding more exciting venues for important school dances and looking to foster competition between student organizations, Student Government will increase spirit.
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