School Spirit on the Rise

The Class of 2014 has shown the other grades what it means to be active in the school community, whether it is attendance at a sports game, musical performance, or school dance, the current Seniors have been leading the participation since they were Sophomores. After many years of decline things are looking up and students are once again taking pride in being a Warrior.
Many new initiatives are being taken this year, including the addition of a homecoming as well as the restoration of the full Spirit Week.  The new administration has even went as far as to extend the functions to this coming Friday, kicking off the festivities with a sports and club pep rally.
Out in the halls, this news is being received exceptionally well, Senior Class Vice-President Eric Scott is really impressed with how the school is shaping up.  "Every day, I can see CHS transforming into a school that students are truly excited to be a part of, we have the spirit and involvement of schools three times our size." A transformation has definitely occurred here in Canton. The Track and Field Complex is the first of its kind for a small school in the NCCC, putting Canton a cut above the rest.  It's not just the taxpayers who are showing their dedication to the school, but the administration and faculty are being quite supportive as well.  Each morning, Principal Drew Dipippo or Vice Principal Eric Verner broadcast sports and club news over the intercom, something that just hadn't happened in years past.  Things must be working because students have been attending events in droves.
"This year I am  really getting into Canton sports," the words of Senior Carter Janssen can sum up the mentality of the entire school. Because of the small size of the school coupled with its high participation levels, CHS has often had difficulty putting a decent number of fans on the sidelines, due to the fact that most of the students are out playing a sport of their own.  However, this year athletes have been making it a priority to support one another.  It has not been uncommon to see a throng of people leave immediately from their sport to go and attend the games of their peers.  With a home football game this weekend and several night games next week, it can be assured that attendance will be high in the Warrior camp.
Revisions in Spirit Week are more than just athletic showcases, the core ideas have been revised as well. Student Council created an itinerary that works to unify the school as a whole, rather than just pit one class against another.  While a little competition is good, the focus is not on which class is the best, but more in recognition that Canton is the best.

Traditionally, there has been a dance on the Thursday of Spirit Week. This year, the Senior Class decided to make a shift to reflect a more classic high school approach.   The Homecoming Dance this Friday, is similar to what goes on at many other schools near by.  It will be a semi-formal affair where having a date is suggested, but obviously not required. All that really matters is that the students get out there and have fun and support the school.  Votes for Homecoming King and Queen will be cast in CHAT on Wednesday, mirroring schools like Farmington.  Although Homecoming King and Queen are usually voted on during the half-time of the homecoming football game, that is not just possible this year.  The dance is on a Friday and the game is on Saturday, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to realize that would not work.  So, the creative Senior Class Officers have come up with away to make this trial run as best as they possibly can given current limitations.
This year is an opportunity for Canton High School to show what it's made of. Terrence Brophy, a senior, recognized that "the current Senior Class has helped to restore school spirit to levels they had in the 80's."  The traditions established in the coming week might be initiated by the Seniors, but they will not be able to carry them on for years to come, that will fall on the administration and more importantly the lower grades.  That time has not yet come, and when it does the Juniors will surely rise to the occasion. But for now the Warriors should just bask in the sunlight of the new dawn that has risen in Canton.