It’s freshman year and you’re sitting at the top of the bleachers at a football game. The seniors who feel so far away from you are yelling at the student body to “Get loud!” and saying things like “Freshmen, we can’t hear you!” You look around anxiously to see what your friends and those around you are doing.
Is it weird to jump around and cheer? Should I just stay quiet?
Both of these questions are inevitably on the minds of most students, especially freshmen.
Being a senior this year, I can say that it looks worse when you stand quietly and don’t cheer at the pep rally, football games, basketball games, etc. But also having been a freshman and sophomore, I understand the insecurities and feeling of judgment that comes with being an underclassman.
However, school spirit matters for all grades, and the quicker you start cheering loudly for our scouts, the faster you will feel like you fit in in the eyes of upperclassmen. You will also be creating greater memories, and be enjoying the experience along the way.
Senior year is when the high school ultimately feels like it’s yours. You can walk the halls free of the intimidation of older grades, and scream as loud as you possibly can at any sporting event. It is easy to have an energetic school spirit, but this energy shouldn’t just come from seniors. It should come from every grade.
My school spirit has definitely increased this year as a Vice President of Scout Nation and also as a senior leader. Scout Nation has changed its formatting this year with the creation of an executive board and an increased number of senior leaders, and our school spirit at events have benefitted from it.
“There’s a lot of new interest in being a part of the Scout Nation club, translating into higher attendance at the athletic events that we are highlighting,” said Scout Nation sponsor Mrs. Julie Crouch.
To improve this spirit throughout all grade levels, attendance in Scout Nation is helpful. If you ever want to be an elected senior leader who stands on the platforms during football games and helps to run the pep rally, the time to join is now, and anyone is welcome.
Any grade can join Scout Nation. It is an easy and fulfilling club to be a part of. We meet every Tuesday after school in the business incubator room to discuss upcoming events and how we will promote them to the student body.
For underclassmen, knowing some of the senior leaders and our plans for school events is an easy way to stay engaged at our school, and the seniors will appreciate you for it. Seeing all grades participating in cheers and supporting the scouts is necessary.
“It makes every game feel more fun and it is awesome to hear everyone wanting to see you succeed,” said senior receiver Charlie Markee.
Even if attending varsity games is not as exciting for underclassmen because your friends may not be on the team, supporting JV and Fresh/Soph sports is just as important. My friends and I used to support our friends freshman year when they were on the Fresh/Soph basketball team, and the games were just as fun.
Scout Nation is a great way to stay connected to the school and up to date on events happening in our community, and the sooner you join the club, the sooner you will no longer have to choose between awkwardly standing while the rest of the student body jumps around and cheers.
You will know what to do when the seniors invite you to cheer – you will cheer. Cheering and participating in school spirit is not weird or embarrassing, but quite the opposite. It heightens your confidence and feeling of belonging at Lake Forest High School.
