COMMODORE MEDIA GROUP

Spirit Days have long been a tradition in schools across the country, a chance for students to step outside their usual routines, have a little fun, and feel a stronger connection to their school community. When done right, these days bring laughter to the hallways, create shared memories, and boost overall morale. But at Lafayette High School, Spirit Days are falling flat.

Right now, Lafayette’s Spirit Days rely heavily on school colors. Students are asked to wear red and gold, maybe add a piece of spirit wear, and call it a day. While school pride is important, trying the same formula over and over has made these days feel repetitive and uninspired. The intention is there, but the students are missing.

Many students have started to tune out. Instead of being excited to plan their outfits and participate, they’re shrugging Spirit Days off as just another bland part of the week. Some even skip participating altogether, the result? Low participation, low energy, and low morale.

Meanwhile,we have done this by introducing more interesting and creative themes like “Decades Day”, where students dress from their favorite era: 70s bell bottoms, 80s neon, 90s grunge, and more, “Preppy vs. Punk Day”, offering a fun contrast in styles,“Celebrity Look-Alike Day”, giving students the chance to show off their humor and creativity, and “Anything But a Backpack Day”, a viral hit where students carry their supplies in laundry baskets, wagons, or even microwaves etc.

These kinds of themes spark conversation, bring students together, and make for great photos and lasting memories. They turn an ordinary school day into something to look forward to.

So why isn’t Lafayette following suit?

One reason could be a lack of student involvement when planning these events. It’s easy to miss what actually excites people. Students want a voice in shaping their school culture. Involving them in brainstorming and voting for Spirit Day themes could be the key to making these events fun again.

Another issue might be fear of going “too far” or disrupting the regular school day. But fun doesn’t have to mean chaos. Other schools have proven that with clear guidelines and a bit of planning, even the most creative Spirit Days can run smoothly.

We already know that school spirit has a direct impact on student morale. When students feel like their school values creativity and self-expression, they’re more likely to feel a sense of belonging. And right now, that’s something Lafayette could use more of.

There’s a real opportunity here not just to improve Spirit Days, but to improve the overall student experience. Why settle for boring when we could be bold?

It’s time for a change. Let’s rethink Spirit Days at Lafayette. Let’s make them something students actually care about something worth looking forward to. All it takes is a little creativity, a willingness to try new things, and most importantly, student voices at the center of it all.

After all, spirit is supposed to be fun. Let’s bring that back.