A lively if shorter week

No togas and three-day Spirit Week was not so well received, By Kimberly Montalbano Westfall — In preparation for last Friday’s big game, students and staff alike at Delaware Valley High School dressed up for a nontraditional spirit week ridden with changes made by the administration that surprised many students. Spirit week was changed from the traditional week to a three day program, “72 hours of spirit,” as senior class adviser Mrs. Danyell Boyce called it. “Am I disappointed - yes - but it’s my job to understand that it was an administrative decision and that they do act with the best interest of students,” Mrs. Boyce said. The traditional week was shortened after an administration decision that spirit week was “too rowdy and disruptive,” 11/12 Principal Joe Casmus claimed. “Class theme day was more like a pre-Halloween thing, and I wanted to preserve that for seniors.” Students were confused and some were angry that the changes occurred. “Every other group of seniors has had a week. What’s so different about our class?” senior Meagan Boccio questioned. Putting aside the various issues, students continued to participate throughout the themed days - Twin Day, College Day and School Spirit Day. Twin day, the Wednesday before the game, was filled with couples, friends and faculty members dressed as one another, a maze of “twins” filling the hallways. However, College Day was another story; Casmus and fellow administrators believed seniors “took it too far” when they donned togas, and were asked to remove them immediately. After all, the reason behind the shortening of Spirit Week was that it became a distraction. “I felt he took away our creative spirit for reasons unknown to us,” senior Jackie Hoerst said. “Most of us even followed the dress code. There should have been nothing wrong with what we wore.” Other seniors were not eager to disappoint principals and left their sheets at home. “ I don’t see why anyone would do something that would purposefully anger the administration and cause more problems for our school and grade,” senior Daphne Moret said. “Of course, many did it in good spirit, but not all planned to.” Despite the controversy, the Friday of the homecoming game was spirit day. Many painted their faces and wore clothing that supported the football team, who faced off against Honesdale later that night. At Friday night’s game, seniors Steven Yakabowski and Casey Steiner were named this year’s King of Legs and Homecoming Queen. The process for homecoming queen nominations was much different this year. Senior girls could nominate themselves after receiving ten signatures from fellow students as well as a signature from a teacher. A record breaking 33 girls were on the homecoming ballot, which was quickly narrowed down to the seven females on the homecoming court. Candidates for the King of Legs had pictures taken of their legs, and the pictures were placed on jars. Students had the opportunity to donate money to the jar of the leg they liked most. Raising over $1,000, Yakabowski was awarded the honor. After changes and controversy, both students and staff enjoyed a football victory and a successful Homecoming dance.

Some schools don’t even do this. I like to have fun, and I think it’s a good time; I just shortened (Spirit Week) a little.” 11/12 Principal Joe Casmus