Since the dawn of time, Ladue High School has had spirit weeks. These vibrant periods of time have served a multitude of purposes: to promote our sports teams, to bring attention to fundraisers, and to celebrate the change of seasons. However, additional spirit weeks do not come without consequence. In a sense, the communal aspect of spirit weeks are degrading because of a lack of communication about when they are, and a now-routine commonality of boring themes. As more spirit weeks happen, day by day, they are adhered to less and less. Students have less of an incentive to comply with the spirit week when they are demanded to do it more often.

While the expansion in the use of spirit weeks may seem alarming, a larger problem lies in the actual use of the spirit weeks to further communal goals. A new trend disturbs their function: the abuse of spirit weeks by a multitude of clubs and organizations to try and further their aims. Sports team has a big game next weekend? It’s time for a spirit week. Club is hosting a fundraiser? It’s time for a spirit week. Xxxx xx xxxxxxx x xxxxxxxxxx? It’s time for a spirit week. You get the point. Still, as previously stated, the prevalence of spirit weeks makes them less valuable. This becomes a significant hypocrisy for the clubs and organizations that designate spirit weeks for valuable goals. Community leaders need to weigh the gain a spirit week will give their group before going through with it, or the merit of community spirit itself will be lost.

In conclusion, spirit weeks are an important way to promote communal objectives, but only when they are used sparingly. Administrators should take steps to ensure that spirit weeks are appropriate and sustain positive benefits for the district. If those in power recognize the possible utility of spirit weeks, our district’s various institutions will have much greater confluence with their students.