Four days in and the seniors are dominating spirit week at Palo Alto High School.
With 144 points, the seniors are far ahead of the runners-up: 10th grade with 102 points, 9th with 100, and 11th in last place with 94 points.

Points are awarded primarily for demonstration of class spirit, which is displayed in a variety of forms. Inter- class activities held during lunch rallies figure significantly in to earning points, as do the volume, quality, originality of class cheers, and the number of individuals who dress according to class specific themes each day.

With day four out of the way, the final and most important day is on the horizon. Friday awards the most possible points, including the float display and the rally right after school. Day three included a brand new activity to the Spirit Week tradition: a mini obstacle course that entailed jumping jacks, hopscotch with tires, and leap frogging over your partner. Onlookers cheered on participants in the new competition addition as well as the Snickers-eating contest which took place after.

Day four, Thursday, was the loudest, and most spirited day so far. Thursday opened up with a grand roar early in the morning at 8:15 in the big gym to kick the day off to a spirited start. All four of the classes challenged each other with their originality and the volume of their cheers. With upperclassmen teaming up, it made for a brutal wake-up call.

By lunchtime, Paly was rested and ready to cheer and scream again. Lunchtime provided many laughs, with the balloon shaving that the juniors dominated, and the sheet turn-over that the seniors controlled the entire time. The sheet turn-over requires the smarts, which the sophomores evidently lacked because they got disqualified, and the skill to balance on the paper as it is being turned over by your five teammates. Without a doubt, the best part of lunch was watching all four of the class presidents boogie down and show off their moves in preparation for the homecoming dance on Saturday.

Thursday night may have been the key to winning Spirit Week, with the float stuffing, and preparations for the spirit dance. Classes can be docked points if they are too messy or too rowdy. They will also be tested with their coordination and creativity Friday after school with the spirit dance. With all of the classes huddled on the quad after school, that will be the deciding factor for who is going to claim victory of the 2004 Spirit Week.

Most Paly students agree that Spirit Week is going well and that classes enjoy showing off their spirit. "I thought the breakfast was fun. Everyone was really spirited and dressed up" senior Monika Friedman said.

No matter who wins in the end, students feel that Spirit Week is a great way for them to get to know their peers a little better, push aside all the stress of their classes, and a great way to wind down for the end of the quarter. "Everyone is energetic and it’s very cool to see us all come together as a class.