North Hollywood High School hosted Spirit Week, which was based upon the homecoming theme of “Blast into the Past” and lasted from September 23 to September 27. Each day had a different theme, but they all ultimately ended with our school’s homecoming game that took place on Friday night.
We started Spirit Week on Monday with the era of the ‘70s, where many students dressed up in clothes and accessories that were trendy in the 1970s. This included jumpsuits, flared pants, printed shirts, mini dresses, vest, etc. Then came Tuesday, a day inspired by the ‘80s, an era of being bold and wearing popping colors, designs, and even unexpected materials. Because of this, many people participated in wearing bright, neon colors, cut off sweatshirts, making their hair puffy and voluminous, and best of all, wearing spandex. Wednesday brought the ‘90s, including baggy jeans, tie-dye, platform shoes, bike shorts, embellished denim, and most prominently, leopard prints and flannel. Nearly all male and female students were wearing at least some form of leopard prints or flannel. For instance, students wrapped flannels around their waist and/or wore leopard print shirts, pants, hats, etc. Since Thursday was the day before the homecoming game, everyone was becoming more and more excited by the minute. Students determinedly and passionately took the time and effort to showcase trends of the 2000’s. For instance, although the weather was hot and sunny all day long, multiple female students wore Ugg boots, which were one of the major trends from this time period. Another trend that many students partook in was wearing jeans with bedazzled pockets, having them embellished and sewed with different designs. Rhinestones were everywhere on Friday, from people’s earrings to bags, to shirts to jeans to matching jumpsuits. Some students even wore pants with words like “Juicy” written with rhinestones on their butts!
Then Friday came, the day of the Homecoming game. At this point, no one was focusing in class and ultimately, teachers abandoned their lessons for the day. Everyone, and I mean everyone, was wearing blue and/or white, our school colors, to show support for the NOHO Huskies, whether one was going to the game or not.
Additionally, our school hosted a pep rally, in which dance teams performed their choreographies, clubs advertised themselves and proudly boasted about their past accomplishments in tournaments, and many fun games were played.
I think that having Spirit Week was one of the best decisions that the school could have made, and I am so glad that I participated in dressing up in styles and clothes I would never think of wearing on a normal day. I was able to become aware, as well as remember, some of the trends that past eras had brought us, and students were able to unburden themselves of the stress that the countless exams, projects, and assignments had been causing.
As student Mabel Neyyan says, “Spirit week was such a creative yet effective way for students to dress more confidently and show school spirit at the same time. And, even though we lost our Homecoming game, all that mattered to us was the fact that we were able to spend time with our friends, eating hot dogs, chips, and drinks on a beautiful, Friday night.”
Sabrina Mo, Grade 9
North Hollywood Highly Gifted Magnet High School
