By Mason Vargas
My freshman year, I attended my first football game. Vivid memories persist throughout my mind of those football games. A crowd full of spirit. Everybody was standing at the point where you couldn’t see the game (at least for me as I was just under 5 ft tall). Enthusiastic chanting that activated your hair cells in your ear (Thanks Ms. Picard!). Now, in my junior year, the chants seem forced and aren’t as powerful. A student section filled maybe ⅕. People are sitting down on their phones. This decline of school spirit isn’t limited to football games. At rallies, there are gaps between groups of students in the bleachers. Similar trends are seen throughout other events and the overall school community. Participation in games and cheering is limited and those who do so halfheartedly. Where did that school spirit go?
School spirit can be defined in many ways. I define school spirit as the excitement and feeling of being a part of something as a group rather than as an individual. The drive to participate and influence others to better the community of your school. One can be spirited in school despite not being the loudest at spirit events. Yet, when I look around the school and attend numerous clubs, numbers are at a low and the atmosphere seems gloomy and lame. Cheering at events is looked down upon. Is it a lack of appeal? Is it a feeling of lack of representation? Or has society developed a policy of being “too cool for school” and participating or supporting openly has become lame. Westmont offers the freedom to create and establish any type of CLOG (Club/Organization). Many of these clubs have garnered lots of support however, there is still a noticeable lack of interest from the general student body. Even with the opportunities available, there seems to be a disconnect between the students and their willingness to fully engage. Events, whether they’re sports games, rallies, or club fairs, often feel underwhelming compared to their potential. It’s as though the spirit that once brought the student body together has been replaced by indifference. Students who want to participate may feel discouraged by the lack of energy around them. During the football season, it is difficult to stay enthusiastic in a game covered by defeat. But school spirit isn’t just about loud chants or full bleachers. It’s about pride in your school and what it stands for. It’s about supporting your classmates and celebrating achievements, big or small. School spirit fosters a sense of belonging, making students feel like they’re part of something meaningful.
Reviving school spirit might seem tough, but it’s not impossible. It starts with small steps—like showing up, cheering each other on, and making everyone feel included. When people see others putting in the effort, it’s contagious. Little by little, we can bring back the energy and pride that makes our school feel alive again. School spirit isn’t gone—it just needs a little spark to come back stronger.