THE ECHO

by Eva Pearson

The once-electric energy of school spirit at Avon High School appears to be fading. Fewer students are dressing up for Spirit Week, student sections at sporting events are thinning, and the “fun” in fundamental classes seems to be disappearing.

While some students still dress up or buy tickets to cheer on the football and basketball teams in the Oriole Army section, the decline in school spirit has been described as a “nationwide issue,” according to a 2024 White Pages Study by Varsity Brands and other researchers.

According to Varsity Brands, school spirit among all grade levels has dropped from 70% in 2014 to 61% in 2024—a 9% decrease. While it may not seem significant, the study notes that this drop is equivalent to two in every five students believing their school lacks spirit.

Senior Kyle Brownfield is one of many students who still participate in Spirit Weeks and frequently attends sporting events. Whether he’s painting himself yellow for “Minion Day” or digging through his closet for red clothes for the “Red Out” basketball game, Brownfield shows up ready to support his school.

“I still participate in [spirit days], and other students should too,” Brownfield said. “Avon and other schools around us should be able to come together and support our school.”

Other students echo his sentiment. Junior Griffin Gongwer says he never misses a football game and believes school spirit starts with consistency.

“If you only show up for the big games, it doesn’t feel the same,” Gongwer said. “I try to go to everything—even soccer games or volleyball. It all matters.”

Avon High School has noticed a significant decline in school spirit and attendance at school-sponsored events such as the Riley Dance Marathon, the pep rally, and most recently the drive-in movie. Junior Jayden Christensen said the themes chosen for these events could play a factor.

“We need more creative themes,” Christensen said. “People get tired of the same ‘USA Day’ or ‘Pajama Day’ every year. If you mix it up, people will want to join in again.”

Senior Aiden Asleson, a student who was once always participating in school spirit days during his freshmen year, believes energy comes from the top down.

“When upperclassmen don’t seem excited, it makes it harder for underclassmen like we  once were to actually care,” Asleson said. “But when they’re hyped up, it spreads.”

A separate study by Education Weekly highlighted a psychological concept known as habituation—the loss of interest after repeated exposure to an experience. While students may be excited for Spirit Week on Monday, enthusiasm often fades by Friday.

Education Weekly even suggested replacing Spirit Week with five individual spirit days spread throughout the school year, allowing students to view those days as more meaningful.

Whether due to habituation or a general lack of interest, students like Brownfield, Gongwer, Christensen, and Asleson are working to bring spirit back—not just to Avon, but to schools across the country.

Illustration by Eva Pearson