Unlike a traditional high school, Northwest Early College High School does not boast a booming sports program that often ignites school spirit to lay the foundation for a typical homecoming celebration.
This has not stopped NWECHS students from progressively building their own distinct spin on their homecoming, which concludes tonight with a masquerade dance.
In fact, the Griffins this year celebrated homecoming with an array of activities during their Spirit Week.
Every year, Spirit Week continues to grow and become more robust as each passing class adds their own distinct touch to the tradition. Students spend the week engaging in friendly competition amongst grade levels.
Members of each class participate in games, activities and competitions throughout the week accumulating points to vie for the coveted NWECHS “Spirit Stick” at the end of the week.
“We take pride in paving our own path here at Northwest and Homecoming is no different,” said junior Victoria Rodriguez. “We focus on academics but we still want to enjoy the traditions that make high school memorable but we make them our own. Spirit Week is special to us and each year we see it getting bigger and better.”
This year, the week kicked off on Friday, Sept, 30 with an intramural soccer game against Valle Verde Early College at Julius & Irene Lowenberg Stadium. Students dressed up, transformed the campus into a circus big top, played games, music and reveled in school spirit, the Griffin way.
Some NWECHS traditions stay true to a typical homecoming celebration such as proudly displaying mums, selecting a court and closing the week with a school dance.
“I think it is important that our students continue to build a solid homecoming tradition that is unique to who we are,” said Principal Frank Clark. “Every year, our students take it one step further than the year before with more activities, participation and excitement. It has truly become a campus-wide event that our students enjoy, look forward to and builds another layer of school spirit and pride.”