Students shine in Spirit Week attire by Samantha Sandrew '25

Staples High School spirit week kicked off on Sep. 23-27 with pajama day to start, then lifeguards vs kids swimming, twin day, color wars and finally school colors. The week precluded the school's homecoming game and dance, where the Wreckers battled Maloney, winning 28-21.

Social studies teacher John Shepro, Samuel Rossoni '25 and Alex Hackett '25 snuggle together for pajama day. Hackett, being a Staples superfan captain, helped choose the themes of spirit week alongside the other captains: Eli Szostack '25, Katie Hannon '25, Sophia Novello '25, Zach Beebe '25 and Amire Williams '25.
For the second day, Tuesday Sep. 22, students battled as lifeguards vs swimming kids. Jackson Tracey '25 and Avery Thomas '25 donned their bright red, ready to save kid swimmers such as Nash Teran '25. Abe Lobsenz '25 also handled his fanny pack, looking to make a save at any moment.

"I was a lifeguard this summer at Compo beach so it was easy to dress up as a lifeguard," Tracey said. "I liked this theme because it was fun seeing everyone with crazy outfits and mine was also inexpensive."

People paired together to match for twin day. Mia Cochran '26 and Maria Stiber '26 strutted in stripes. Doppelgängers, Assistant Principal Patrick Micinilio and Shepro twinned with identical outfits and hairstyles.

"It's great to bring the school together to do something unified that everybody does," Shepro said. "It's great for the school, it's great for the kids, and when the teachers get into it, it is even more fun."

Senior girls dressed as smurfs, instead of twinning for the third day of spirit week, Sep 23. Lauren Clementi '25 and Kylie Kirkham '25 wore blue bodysuits to show their school spirit. Others, like Bella Baltierra '25 painted their faces and glued some facial hair, becoming Papa Smurf. The theme was originally babies, but the senior girls decided to change the plan to smurfs.

"Smurfs are better than babies because I get to be blue," Clementi said. "Babies are cute, but smurfs are funnier, and I would have hot in the onesie."

Grades battled it out in color wars on Thursday, Sep 24. Freshman were green, sophomores were blue, juniors were purple, seniors were red, and staff was pink. Cat Betit '26 and Harry McLaughlin '26 dressed in purple to show support for their junior class. English teacher Brendan Giolitto rocked his pink for this spirit day. While McLaughlin participated in all the days, he had one favorite theme.

"Pajama day is definitely my favorite one," McLaughlin said. "I'm never going to complain about getting to be comfortable and wear pajamas at school."

Senior girls wore their traditional homecoming shirts with nicknames on the back. Sophie Cochran '25 and Sophia Reeves '25 paired with Brit #1 and Brit #2 on the back. The rest of Staples wore blue and white or Staples merch such as Tristan Schafer '25.

After the week of spirit, the senior class gathered at the beach for the annual motorcade before going to the football game at 7 p.m. On Saturday, Sep 28, the homecoming dance commenced in the cafeteria and gym until 9:30 p.m.