Student Council Spirit Projects
Mustangs on Parade
Students, staff members, classes, athletic teams, student organizations, and others at Downers Grove (IL) South HS were invited to participate in Mustangs on Parade, a take-off of Chicago's Cows on Parade exhibit. Interested parties picked up a mustang bust and decorated it. Then they either donated it back or purchased it for $25. Mustangs that were donated back were displayed and then auctioned off for charity.
Some clever mustang creations included: "Spirit Cheer" by the cheerleaders; "Touchdown Terry" by the football team; "Ringwraith," a Lord of the Rings tribute; "Mustang Sally," always in the Dean's office; and "Ebolian Stallion," by the Biology II class.
Class Clash
As part of Homecoming Spirit Week, the student council at St. Joseph-Ogden HS in St. Joseph, IL, organizes a Class Clash, where anyone who wants to participate can compete against members of other classes. Class members wear their class colors, develop chants, and compete in such events as bobbing for grapes in ice water and a banana peel relay.
Spirit Couch
Each week students at Covington (LA) HS are encouraged to submit their names for a Spirit Couch drawing that is held at the Friday pep rally. The person whose name is drawn gets to choose three guests to join him or her that evening on the Spirit Couch, which is set up on the sideline of the football field. The winner and guests are treated to pizza, snacks, and soft drinks and can watch the game from this prized position. They are also provided with various spirit items--a game cup, spirit ribbon, pom pons, and noisemakers.
Senior Wall
A nondescript hallway at Kankakee Valley HS in Wheatfield, IN, was transformed into a senior "quilt" with a little ingenuity on the part of student council. Each year, a section of the plain concrete wall is designated for the senior class. Each senior paints a block with whatever appropriate symbols or messages depict their personality. Student council supplies the paint and supplies while the senior class provides pizza and drinks for the evening on which the painting is done. One date is set for painting in the fall an another for the spring so everyone has a chance to participate.
"Each senior class gets a section, so several years of senior quilts can be displayed at once," says student council adviser Heather Carey. "Now, no one touches the wall-they are too busy admiring the creativity of their classmates and looking forward to painting their own block for the quilt."
Super Snowcoming
When the Homecoming activities at Griffith (IN) HS were canceled last year due to rain, the student council members came up with a substitute: Snowcoming! The activities were similar, but they were held during a basketball game rather than a football game. The council also sponsored a Snowcoming dance, and while the turn out wasn't overwhelming, those who attended had a great time.
Night at the Oscars
The stars come out at Kankakee Valley HS in Wheatfield, IN, each spring as the student council treats the school to a night at the Oscars. A week before the event, the student council members put out a call for nominations in such categories as "Best Actor," "Coolest Car," and "Cutest Couple."
About three months before the awards, students are invited to submit student-produced movies for consideration as well. These movies are shown to students at various times between the submission deadline and the nomination date. The student council then identifies the top three nominations in each category and asks students to vote for their favorite.
On Oscar night, the winners are announced in each category and each receives an award. Clips of the movies are shown and the winners of a previous Battle of the Bands provide additional entertainment. In keeping with Oscar tradition, an after party is held for nominees and winners.
Celebrating Summer
An end-of-year celebration provided much-needed fun after a week of studying and testing at Washington Township HS in Valparaiso, IN. The Washington Township Student Council worked with the cafeteria to arrange for hamburgers and hot dogs to be served on paper plates during lunch the last full day of school. Most students took their food outside and sat on blankets.
Lunchtime events included "messy" games that involved water and eggs, as well as a "get gross" game that was particularly messy. The cafeteria saved all its leftover food for the last few days of school and dumped it in some large dish tubs. Marbles were added. Students had to use their toes to find the marbles. Other, "cleaner" events included hula lessons, a limbo contest, and tropical shirt contest.
Bleacher Painting
The student council at the American School in Tokyo, Japan devised a colorful way to combine fundraising with spirit. For about $2 students were allowed to purchase a spot on the bleachers and paint it on a designated Saturday. The entire bleacher board could be purchased by clubs, departments, or teams. Student council members raised additional funds by grilling hot dogs and selling food while the painting was going on. "The students and teachers took great pride in making their spot attractive as well as representing who they were. It was a schoolwide activity that built up our community spirit," said Julie Rogers, student council adviser.
Pack the Place
An event-filled week prior to the winter carnival dance at Pawnee (IL) HS culminates in a home basketball game at which organizers try to Pack the Place. The purpose is to provide fun activities for basketball fans, students, and families and to get people to come to the game that don't regularly come. Organizers hold a fundraising steak dinner before the game, contact sponsors for free T-shirts to throw to the crowd for every three-point shot, sell pom pons during the game, hold an airplane toss contest during halftime, raffle off a cake, and announce the Winter Carnival King and Queen.
Adopt-a-Dolphin
In preparation for the 66th NASC conference, hosted by Ocean Lakes HS student council in Virginia Beach, conference organizers developed an Adopt-a-Dolphin project that involved clubs and organizations in creating decorated dolphins. Modeled after the Cows on Parade in New York and Chicago and Mermaids on Parade in Norfolk, the project could easily be adapted to a school setting for Homecoming or another special occasion.,/p>
To begin, the NASC decorations committee worked with students in the vo-tech program to cut out 66 plywood dolphins, each about five feet in length. They attached brackets to the backs of them for PVC pipe stands to hold the dolphins for later display.
The committee then invited clubs and organizations within Ocean Lakes to adopt a dolphin and "texturize" it in some way by adding a weatherproof material to it that would make it more three-dimensional. Clubs often chose a material to decorate with that was symbolic of their group. Key Club covered its two adopted dolphins with spare keys donated by students and faculty members. The Computer Club dismembered several old computers and used the parts to cover its dolphin. Others used a wide variety of materials including old CDs, pencils, bamboo, pennies, plastic army men, shells, beads, coffee cup lids, plastic spoons, cups, even flip-flops.
Once decorated, the dolphins were transported by bus to the district's central plant to be painted in navy blue, light blue, or silver to coordinate with the conference colors. The paint accented the interesting textures and designs created by the underlying materials. The finished dolphins were attached to pipe stands and placed along the school's entrance to welcome visitors to the conference.
Howdy Week
To welcome students back to school and make everyone feel welcome, the student council at Killeen (TX) HS sponsors Howdy Week during the first full week of the school year. Each day of the week is posted as a special day: Monday is Welcome Day. All student and staff names are posted somewhere in the school.
Tuesday is Crazy Hat or Shake-a-Hand Day.
Wednesday is Club Fair and a fun dress up day. The clubs set up booths in the cafeteria to give out information and sign up members.
Thursday is Club Fair and a fun dress up day.
Friday is Spirit Day. Students and staff are asked to come dressed in school colors.
In addition to the special days, students receive a ticket on Monday that enters them into drawings each day for prizes donated by local merchants. Other activities have included a scavenger hunt and a quote match-up for prizes.
A leadership workshop on the Saturday before school starts enables council members to plan and prepare for the week's activities.
Roll Out the Red Carpet
On the first day of school, the staff and administration at Downingtown HS in Exton, PA, rolls out the red carpet--literally--to welcome students. Organizers purchased sections of red carpet--rentals are also possible--that are placed on the sidewalk leading to the school's front door. They invite all teachers, custodians, principals, and other staff members to line the sidewalk to form a welcoming committee and arrange for a disc jockey to play music as students arrive. Staff members wear school colors and the area is decorated with balloons, streamers, and welcome signs. "Your students will be smiling like you cannot imagine," says Carole Kustafik, student council adviser.
MHS Idol
Manchester (CT) HS sponsored an event based on the popular TV show American Idol that showcased the vocal abilities of its students. Approximately 30 students signed up to audition for 10 spots in the MHS Idol program. Each student sang a song of their choice for the audition either with background music or a cappela. Two advisers and three student representatives adjudicated the auditions on vocal ability and performance. The scores were tallied and the top 10 scores advanced to the performances. This was a two-night competition. The first evening was held in the cafeteria and was coupled with an ice cream social. Students decorated the cafeteria like a nightclub with round tables, tablecloths, and white lights hung around the room. Staging from the auditorium was used to build platforms at the front of the cafeteria. Two of the student judges hosted it and the third served as the stage manager. The MHS TV News program set up cameras around the room and while the contestants were singing showed them on a 15' x 18' screen. After each of the contestants sang one song of their choice, the audience voted for their top three.
Attendees paid either $8 for a two-day pass including ice cream the first evening or paid $5 per night. The second evening was held in the auditorium. The program opened with an ensemble presentation of Dancin' in the Streets and then the top five contestants were announced. Each of the top five contestants sang two songs of their choice. The MHS TV News crew members were important in the program as they prepared professional interviews that appeared prior to the top five performances.
A panel of three judges critiqued a particular piece on vocal performance, stage presence, and style to determine the top two. The top two then sang a pre-determined song, I Will Survive by Gloria Gaynor. The judges again critiqued the two performances and determined the MHS Idol. The Idol received a Karaoke machine, a $100 gift certificate to a music store, and a gift certificate for a haircut and style at a local salon. The runner-up received a $50 gift certificate to a local music store. The MHS Idol will be featured at the annual Mr. MHS contest later in the spring.
Theme Day Hangman Contest
Rather than just announcing their upcoming "Hawaiian Theme Day," the student council and SADD chapter at Westbrook (CT) HS decided to try to arouse students' curiosity. In late February members created a bulletin board that simply stated "March 21st Is Coming." The project was kept secret while vague, "secret" committee meetings were publicly announced. Adolescent curiosity took over from there and soon the whole school was asking and talking about March 21st.
Taking advantage of a game commonly played by high schoolers, organizers announced a "Theme Day Hangman Contest" during the first week of March. Ten words, represented by blank spaces, were placed on the March 21st bulletin board. A few letters were placed in the blanks every couple of days, which started to spell the words. Announcements indicated that the 10 words all were related to a secret theme day and that any students submitting an entry form correctly listing these words would be entered into a drawing for prizes to be awarded on March 21st at a planned assembly program. Earlier correct answers would be given more chances in the prize drawing on a sliding scale according to date submitted.
The contest was an excellent publicity tool for the project. The whole school continued to buzz with this project for quite a while. Alliances were formed and words were traded and guarded ferociously. No long announcements were made, no posters had to be put up, and almost 100% of the student body actively participated. By the end of the second week of the contest, more than 75% of the student body had determined the theme and had at least three entries in the grand prize drawing. Grand prizes included a 13" color television, a DVD player, and a $50 gift certificate to a local mall (all paid for by proceeds from a soda machine in the school).
Oscars Night
Students at Kankakee Valley HS in Wheatfield, IN, are invited to make their own creative movies and submit them for voting by the student body in various categories. Student council members organize the competition, in which student-created movies are shown during lunch periods. Categories for voting include best drama, best supporting actress, and so forth, as well as fun categories including cutest couple, best teeth, cutest siblings, and best teacher impersonation. After the votes have been tallied, student council members act as hosts for an evening of entertainment that also serves as a fundraiser. "We decorate and everyone dresses up in used prom dresses and tuxes. We use the projector to show everyone clips of the movies," says Stephanie Call, student council member. The winners are awarded a gold star on stage.
Hawk-a-Po-Looza
Combining school spirit and community service, the student council at Olathe (KS) East HS organizes Hawk-a-Po-Looza, a variety of activities held during the first week in November. The week begins with a focus on service, a canned food drive competition between third period classes that lasts all week. At the end of the week, the class with the highest average contribution per student receives a free breakfast. The council also sponsors a blood drive during the week.
A coed volleyball tournament is a big event during Hawk-a-Po-Looza, with more than 20 student and faculty teams entering the tournament last year. Teams pay a $20 entry fee for a maximum of 10 members per team. Each team is encouraged to design its own uniform and mascot. Basic volleyball rules are followed but there is a 20-minute time limit per game. Each team is guaranteed to play a minimum of two games. Volunteers serve as officials and scorekeepers. Music is played in the background and a comedic play-by-play element entertains the crowd. The winning team receives gift certificates. Proceeds from the tournament go towards the canned food drive and other designated charities.
The culminating event for the week is the Mr. Hawk pageant, a spoof of a male beauty pageant held in the evening. Each grade selects five contestants to participate. At lunch each day during Hawk-a-Po-Looza, all of the contestants have cans on display for students to contribute to their favorites. Admission to the pageant is either $2 or five canned goods. The funds collected go to the charities for the week.
Contestants are judged on talent, swimsuit, evening attire, poise, and funds raised. Judges are members of the faculty and staff. After each area of performance, the judges hold up the contestant's score (1-10) so the audience and the contestants can see. A winner is selected from each grade. Each Mr. Hawk receives a tiara and sash.
After the pageant, student council sponsors the Mr. Hawk Coronation Ball, a free dance for all East HS students. A local radio station disc jockey provides music, prizes, and lights. The school's parent group provides refreshments.
Spring Fest
To celebrate the end of the school year and provide an opportunity for students to sign each other's yearbooks, the National Honor Society at Brussels (IL) HS hosts a Spring Fest each May. NHS provides competitive activities such as volleyball, water balloon toss, tug-of-war over a mud pit, and trivia contests. Competitions are held between classes and the winning classes get an early dismissal and candy. NHS members also barbecue and sell hamburgers and hot dogs to cover the expenses of the day.
Sled Race
A homeroom competition at Rocori HS in Cold Spring, MN, pits three-person teams against each other in a 100-meter sled race held during Snow Week. Homerooms supply their own sleds, which are pulled by two people with a third person riding the sled. Qualifying rounds with 6-8 homerooms narrow the field to a final race. The whole school goes out to watch the event and homerooms get into the act with cheers. The winning class receives a pizza and root beer float party.
Survivor
Modeled after the television show, Survivor at Richland (WA) HS involves two teams of eight students (a boy and girl from each grade). Applications and interviews help organizers select the best group of contestants. The teams undertake weekly challenges which are designed to be more exciting than regular class competitions. Each time a team loses they vote a person off until only eight people remain, at which point it becomes an individual competition. Each time a person wins, he or she gains immunity, which means they can vote someone off but no one can vote them off. The competition continues until one person is declared the winner.
Jaguar Paws
To develop school spirit and leave their mark on their new high school, NHS members at East Jessamine HS in Nicholasville, Ky., sold Jaguar Paws which were painted on the walkway leading from the school's entrance. Each paw print was painted with the student or faculty member's name, year of graduation, and sport decal or other activity symbol. Proceeds from the sale funded the group's attendance at the state convention.
Tailgating
Before home football games at Pennridge HS in Perkasie, PA, student council members bring out grills and food and host a tailgating party in the school's parking lot, complete with a disc jockey. The spirit-boosting event brings together students and members of the community who come to eat before the game.
Spirit Couch
Combining fundraising with fun raising the student council at Warren Central HS in Indianapolis, Ind., sponsors a "spirit couch" at basketball games. Students pay 25 cents for a chance to sit on the spirit couch with five friends during a basketball game. The gym has a small balcony at the end of the playing floor that has a double railing and is big enough for a long couch. Council members borrow a couch from the Performing Arts Center and decorate the railing and the couch. The winning student chooses his friends, sits on the couch during the game (the best seats in the house!), and is served pizza and soft drinks at halftime.
Let's Make a Deal
The student council of Notre Dame HS in St. Louis, Mo., developed a fun lunchtime activity that is a spin off of the game show Let's Make a Deal. Several days before the activity they notify students to bring in odd items-movie ticket stubs, ball game tickets, mom's grocery list, hair pins, curlers, shower caps, teddy bears, Pokeman cards, and so forth-in their purses or bookbags. On the day of the activity, a student council member serves as the announcer at lunch. She calls for one of the items and a panel of student council judges determines the first person to raise their hand. Whoever raises their hand first comes forward and selects either bag one, bag two, or bag three, which are a combination of gift bags and grocery bags. Inside each bag is a gift--as with the TV show, some are good and some are bad. The bad ones are often deceptive, since they sometimes have $1, $5, or $10 underneath.
"For the first few times the announcer shows what the student could have won if he or she had chosen the other bags. Eventually students will try to select the worse bag thinking money is attached. By this time, you no longer attach money to the gifts," said Ann Bolzenius, student council adviser. "This is a great opportunity to get rid of your old student council stuff--decorations, T-shirts, etc., and the kids love it," she said.
Battle of the Classes
During spirit week, the student council of Scituate (N.Y.) HS sponsors a Battle of the Classes in which students from all grades compete in a variety of events. Students pay $5 to enter the gym and they receive five raffle tickets. Inside the gym, students sit by grade level in four bleacher sections. Raffle tickets are drawn to determine contestants for each event. Events vary from year to year and have included relay events, Jello wrestling, sundae building and eating, and whipped cream musical chairs. To protect the floor, council members cover the gym floor with plastic sheets. The student council adviser serves as the judge for events. Winners of each event earn points that go toward the overall spirit competition for the week.