Spanning two football games and a night rally, and accommodating a three-day weekend in-between, Palo Alto High School’s Spirit Week 2024 begins for the first time, on a Friday — in just a few hours. Got your green ready, Vikings?
According to Leilani Chen, sophomore vice president, ASB has been working to coordinate each detail of the Spirit Week.
“Since the end of last year, ASB has been working non-stop getting ready for Spirit Week,” Chen said. “Since choosing themes, we have been working on the class dance, choosing songs, ordering the materials for the floats, creating cheers and publicizing Spirit Week activities. It takes a lot of work, but it all pays off.”
This year, Spirit Week features two football game rallies on both Fridays. According to Julian Hong, president of the Associated Student Body, he encourages students to attend the night rally next Tuesday.
“Something I am excited for is our first night rally since COVID,” Hong said. “I’m grateful to our administration for allowing us to have this opportunity. A night rally gives a different vibe from everything that happens during the day.”
According to sophomore Lise Concolato, she is still looking forward to Spirit Week despite the changed schedule.
“It feels very weird to have it start on a Friday, because this whole week we weren’t doing anything spirited,” Concolato said. “But I’m also glad that they added that Friday, because otherwise we wouldn’t get as many days of Spirit Week. I think it’s still going to end up well.”
Sophomore Harry Bittinger had a similar opinion, saying that there are still benefits with the two-week Spirit Week.
“It kind of takes away the Spirit ‘Week’ aspect of it, but I like that there’s almost the weekend to prep for the next day,” Bittinger said.
Freshman Alma Michlin said she is excited to experience her first high school Spirit Week.
“In middle school, not many people get into it,” Michilin said. “[At the back-to-school rally,] people were cheering and I feel like it makes the school more of a community.”
On the other hand, for senior Hannah Abrams, she will cherish her final Spirit Week at Paly.
“It’s definitely going to be nostalgic and it feels extra special since we’re finally seniors,” Abrams said. “I’m truly going to remember this Spirit Week, and I’m excited to dress up with my friends.”
According to English teacher Erin Angell, she loves to see the student body come together and dress up for the themes.
“I’m going to be judging two of the ‘best-dressed’ events,” Angell said. “That’s always really exciting, because you get to see everyone’s enthusiasm during brunch time [and] rallies, and all their costumes are very creative.”
The Spirit Week themes are as follows:
Friday (Green & White)
ALL: Green and White (Paly Merch)
Tuesday (Class Themes)
Freshmen: Finding Nemo
Sophomores: Firefighters
Juniors: Wizard of Oz
Seniors: Y2K
Teachers: Pajamas
Wednesday (Salad Dressing)
Freshmen: Healthy Choice
Sophomores: Ranch
Juniors: Green Goddess
Seniors: Caesar
Teachers: Honey Mustard
Thursday (Generations Day)
Freshmen: Babies
Sophomores: Teeny Boppers
Juniors: Professional
Seniors: Senior Citizens
Teachers: Zombies
Friday (Class Colors)
Freshmen: Orange
Sophomores: Red
Juniors: Yellow
Seniors: Camo (Jerseys)
Teachers: Blue
