INVOLVEMENT IN SCHOOL
Many factors influence school spirit, whether an increase or a decrease. Studies from Varsity Brands show that involvement in school clubs or extracurriculars not only boosts school spirit but also contribute to student achievement. Research conducted by the Harris Poll shows that 89% of principals urge the importance of building school spirit through involvement and students whose parents said they had lots of school spirit appeared more successful academically rather than students with less school spirit, with the average being 61% versus 31% of success.
“Our Student Council, Key Club and athletic/fine arts programs are phenomenal at inviting kids in and helping them find a passion at school,” Academic Associate Principal Stephanie Monajami said. “Students who are connected to their campus in ways other than classes are statistically more successful academically.”
Not only does involvement in school benefit students academically, but it gives students a reason to keep doing what they love.
“School spirit makes you feel excited because it helps people to share something they both love," sophomore Simone Asake said. "You can celebrate together because you are there for the same common goal.”
Ms. Monajami said more involvement in school activities leads to more school spirit, creating a more positive environment for students overall.
“School spirit is a vital part of the high school experience,” Ms. Monajami said. “Get involved in something, whether it's athletics or fine arts, volunteering, Student Council, theater or one of the many after school clubs we offer.”
During the 2025 Homecoming pep rally on Oct. 24, senior Beckett Echols and Legacy's drumline stir up school spirit. (Photo by Nataly Linares)
Homecoming duke Pedro Aguilando, 10, and duchess Katelyn Keipert, 10, perform their handshake at the Homecoming pep rally on Oct. 24. "Experiencing school spirit firsthand gave me a sense of belonging," Keipert said. "It is uplifting to feel the support of your school." (Photo by Nataly Linares)
Silver Spurs Molly Aldridge, 12, and Emily Andrade, 12, perform at the Gold Out pep rally to raise awareness for childhood cancer Sept. 5. "School spirit has improved my experience as a high school student," Aldridge said. "When we unite as a school to support others, we build a culture where people feel included and valued." (Photo by Max Dearinger)
PHONES AND SOCIAL MEDIA
Today, almost every high schooler has heard of social media. Students may use it to post pictures from the latest football game, show school spirit through dress up days or even use it to stay updated with their school. While all of these uses of social media boost school spirit, what negative aspects do phones contain?
“The increase of phone use causes people to be less involved in school because they do not want to be made fun of or be considered cringe for having school spirit," junior Avrie Melby said. “School spirit is contagious, so if one person looks down on it then everybody else will too.”
Texas House Bill 1481 passed at the beginning of this school year, making it illegal for students to use their phones during school hours. While students, including Melby, consider this a burden, it seems to offer hidden opportunities for school spirit to flourish.
“The phone ban has impacted school spirit because more people are present during school,” sophomore Olivia Butler said. “I personally am more present now that phones are banned, making me feel more school spirit."
Although the distraction of phones no longer remains a problem in Texas schools, students miss the opportunities to support their school through social media.
“I actually believe that social media benefits school spirit because we can share pictures and our spirit more efficiently,” Butler said. “People are always posting pictures of spirit days and football games, making others want to go and participate in the fun too.”
While some people agree that social media boosts spirit, others said spirit can thrive without any technology needed.
“Social media has caused people to experience more school spirit at times, but has also caused it to decline,” sophomore Rylie Sodolak said. “Looking back in my parents’ yearbooks, there was so much spirit and they didn’t even need phones to communicate it."
Recent technologies including social media and cell phones positively impact school spirit by giving communities a means of communication, but harms it as a way of making students fear embarrassment of having spirit.
"With the increase of phone use [in recent years] with people our age, there is a decrease in involvement at schools," Melby said. "Many people who hate on school spirit do not like it because it is considered cringe on social media."
Students can no longer use any personal communication devices during the school day because of HB 1481. (Photo by Max Dearinger)
COMMUNITY EFFORTS
Having involvement in schools creates a community for students to rely on. According to Thought Exchange, having community in schools leads to increased student attendance, teacher optimism and even boosting student morale because of feeling a sense of belonging. Having more positivity at school creates a better environment for school spirit to flourish and expand to every student among various communities.
“It’s nice to be in an environment where people are together in a community,” Emma Lambert, 11, said. “We all love our school so much and it rubs off on everybody.”
Support is felt by students when their community is seen and valued no matter who or what it consists of.
“Whatever you do, go to school events no matter how small,” Lambert said. “Support everybody no matter what because the more support we have, the more spirit [our school] has.”
As the increase of support takes place, a positive impact on students' attitude also increases, giving them a reason besides academics to come to school everyday.
“Being involved in theater, the people I work with make me feel welcome and we feel like a big family," Butler said.
Community benefits more than just students, it also benefits teachers who rely on it during school.
“Dr. Bonneau's Broncos in the Know comes out every week and helps [teachers] know what is happening at school, keeping us informed as a community," Algebra teacher Gregory Shortes said.
Ultimately, having a community helps everybody in school positively by assisting people in being present and invested in what their school stands for.
"Having a community makes me feel like I belong," Lambert said.
During theatre, junior Vivian Neeson and freshman Kayden O'Neill pass out popsicles to their classmates.(Photo by Carolina Ramirez)
LEADERSHIP
Leadership, especially student leadership, remains a vital part of school spirit, Student Council Adviser Dedric Williams said. Based on Varsity Brands research, school spirit does not exist as only a pop of color on game day or your school's fight song, it exists for students to connect with one another and lead each other to success.
“There are great kids here with lots of energy and ideas,” Mr. Williams said. “They make you want to join in and participate in any possible way by cheering others on, performing among themselves or just keeping the energy going.”
While student leadership encourages others to join in with school spirit, the lack of it causes the contagious sense of spirit to decline.
“I think our student council does a great job but they do not seem as active as other schools, nor do they contain as many people," Melby said. "Seeing other schools post about their events daily makes me believe there could be more advocating for the events."
Without the commitment of student leadership, students become left with no role models that can be relatable to them.
"[We need to] rally students by participating in dress-up days, getting involved and going all out," biology teacher Nicolas Bautista said. "Really commit to it because if others see you do it, they will want to do it also."
The contagious feeling of school spirit tends to spread more efficiently because of the use of peer pressure for good.
"So many people are scared to be laughed at for doing the right thing or being the positive person on campus, always willing to complain but never willing to contribute," Williams said. "Once they realize that this is the school that they can be proud of and celebrate, it will bring more life to everything."