Ronald Reagan Huskies Spirit Week 2018
Written By Paiton Graham
Spirit Week is a beloved tradition celebrated not just in America, but in a variety of places, especially high schools. From Monday, September 17 to Friday, September 21, Reagan students and staff donned the appropriate attire for the chosen themes. From Flannel Day to Sports Day, Reagan students accepted the festivities with open arms.
Jasmine Gomez, the assistant secretary of the Reagan Student Council, reflected on the various aspects and elements of the first spirit week of the 2018-19 school year. “It was a lot better than last year. There was a lot more involvement in regards to the student body”, said Gomez . After the spirit weeks of last year, the Student Council had to really step up their game. Gomez said, “This year, I feel like we got a lot more support from the student body”.
This year’s Spirit Week was overall a lot more successful than last year’s. One of the main reasons for this was the fact that the student body was much more involved. Students had the opportunity to vote online for the themes, which resulted in a variety of relatable and desired themes. “We tried to pick themes that related to the Homecoming theme, which was fall harvest. It was essentially just really all up to the students,” Gomez said.
Spirit Day Schedule:
Monday (09/17)
Flannel Day: Students came to school wearing their favorite fall flannels (say that five times fast). Students had the opportunity to finally follow their favorite fall fashion trend. “There were a lot more ideas for this year’s first spirit week. We had a lot more options, so it was really just up to the students to decide what they wanted,” Gomez said. This year’s very first spirit week was almost entirely up to the student body here at Reagan.
Tuesday (09/18)
Twin Day: Cheesy but cute, twin day is a favorite of many students. Being given the opportunity to twin with their bestie (or two); students came to school on Tuesday matching with their friends.
“I personally feel like Twin Day has been overused a lot over the years. I feel like it’s too easy and honestly just an excuse to match up. I personally would have liked to see some more diversity” said Gomez, addressing the theme for Tuesday’s spirit day. “However, it’s something the student body loves to participate in and it’s what they voted for.”
Wednesday (09/19)
Class Color Day: Simplicity is one of the greater aspects of Spirit Week, the main way it’s exhibited being class color day. Each grade here at Reagan wore their designated colors on Wednesday to represent their graduating class. Freshmen wore orange, sophomores wore red, juniors wore green , seniors wore yellow and staff wore brown. While the colors may seem random, there’s actually a little bit of fun meaning behind them. Gomez said, “We’ve always enjoyed class-related themes and this year we went for fall colors to represent not only our love for fall, but to the different classes as well” .
Thursday (09/20)
Sports Day: Sports are an integral part of everyday life for many people and students all over the world, and what better way to represent your team then through clothing and accessories? Whether they were local or national teams, students at Reagan celebrated their love of sports through Sports Day.
Friday (09/21)
Blue and White Day: To conclude the very first Spirit Week of the 2018-19 school year at Reagan, students participated in Blue and White Day, where they presented their school by wearing school colors. “It’s a tradition really, we have keep the hype. After all, it’s “Rea-gang or no-gang,” Gomez said.
Pom poms, face paint and beaded necklaces were more than plentiful on Friday, as students gathered in the auditorium for the school spirit assembly and sang the Husky Fight Song. Gooo Huskies!!
Jasmine Gomez, the assistant secretary of the Reagan Student Council, reflected on the various aspects and elements of the first spirit week of the 2018-19 school year. “It was a lot better than last year. There was a lot more involvement in regards to the student body”, said Gomez . After the spirit weeks of last year, the Student Council had to really step up their game. Gomez said, “This year, I feel like we got a lot more support from the student body”.
This year’s Spirit Week was overall a lot more successful than last year’s. One of the main reasons for this was the fact that the student body was much more involved. Students had the opportunity to vote online for the themes, which resulted in a variety of relatable and desired themes. “We tried to pick themes that related to the Homecoming theme, which was fall harvest. It was essentially just really all up to the students,” Gomez said.
Spirit Day Schedule:
Monday (09/17)
Flannel Day: Students came to school wearing their favorite fall flannels (say that five times fast). Students had the opportunity to finally follow their favorite fall fashion trend. “There were a lot more ideas for this year’s first spirit week. We had a lot more options, so it was really just up to the students to decide what they wanted,” Gomez said. This year’s very first spirit week was almost entirely up to the student body here at Reagan.
Tuesday (09/18)
Twin Day: Cheesy but cute, twin day is a favorite of many students. Being given the opportunity to twin with their bestie (or two); students came to school on Tuesday matching with their friends.
“I personally feel like Twin Day has been overused a lot over the years. I feel like it’s too easy and honestly just an excuse to match up. I personally would have liked to see some more diversity” said Gomez, addressing the theme for Tuesday’s spirit day. “However, it’s something the student body loves to participate in and it’s what they voted for.”
Wednesday (09/19)
Class Color Day: Simplicity is one of the greater aspects of Spirit Week, the main way it’s exhibited being class color day. Each grade here at Reagan wore their designated colors on Wednesday to represent their graduating class. Freshmen wore orange, sophomores wore red, juniors wore green , seniors wore yellow and staff wore brown. While the colors may seem random, there’s actually a little bit of fun meaning behind them. Gomez said, “We’ve always enjoyed class-related themes and this year we went for fall colors to represent not only our love for fall, but to the different classes as well” .
Thursday (09/20)
Sports Day: Sports are an integral part of everyday life for many people and students all over the world, and what better way to represent your team then through clothing and accessories? Whether they were local or national teams, students at Reagan celebrated their love of sports through Sports Day.
Friday (09/21)
Blue and White Day: To conclude the very first Spirit Week of the 2018-19 school year at Reagan, students participated in Blue and White Day, where they presented their school by wearing school colors. “It’s a tradition really, we have keep the hype. After all, it’s “Rea-gang or no-gang,” Gomez said.
Pom poms, face paint and beaded necklaces were more than plentiful on Friday, as students gathered in the auditorium for the school spirit assembly and sang the Husky Fight Song. Gooo Huskies!!
THE GIRL WHO SAID INSHALLAH*
(hopefully, Hope)*
Written By Maysa Saadeddin
“Inshallah, when we go to America it will be safer.”
Is what my parent would say
“Inshallah, it will get better in Palestine.”
Is what my grandparents would say.
Is what my parent would say
“Inshallah, it will get better in Palestine.”
Is what my grandparents would say.
I love the people, the buildings, the music, everything around me in Palestine. Only 2 years old and able to see and learn so much.
I always enjoyed going to my grandpa’s store and I would help him. The store was always busy during the day because everyone knows my kind-hearted grandfather and cares for him. In my eyes, he’s the most respectful and generous person in the world. I loved hanging out with him because I learned so much from the stories he tells me. The stories teach me what is right and wrong. He always told me about wandering off without him. Especially because the Sayiya, as people told me, are dangerous people that walked around the streets day and night. No one looked in their eyes, no one spoke to them, no one approached them or even walked near them. I saw them on the news they looked terrifying. They all looked so heartless and would do anything in their power to get what they want. I never saw them, but I’ve heard people screaming at night and my grandfather explained it to me.
“It’s the bad people, go back to sleep,” said my grandfather.
I got up and walked toward him in his chair. I looked up at him and tilted my head, as I wondered why he wasn’t asleep.
He sighed, “Childhood plans your life, having no love as a child affects you forever.” I looked at him confused.
“Having no love as a child makes your heart empty, it will stay empty unless you find love.” He grabbed me and put me on his lap. He then grabbed a photo of my parents and my family, “You have love in your heart, bad people don’t, don’t take it for granted, be grateful no matter what for family.”
I heard another scream and I began to cry. “Crying is good, it shows you have a heart full of love.” He smiled at me and wiped my tears. I smiled back.
*
I helped my grandpa open up his shop early in the morning every day. The only reason it was fun is because he told me stories from when he was younger. When we finished cleaning, we opened the doors as Hakeem, my grandfather’s close friend, walked in and greeted us enthusiastically as soon as he came in.
“Assalamu alaikum Brother!” I smiled. This is one of the reasons I love my culture; everyone's family.
“Assalamu alaikum Rajeeyah!” Hakeem said while he patted my head. While they were talking I saw my friends Zahirah, Hadeya, and Laila. Hadeya is Hakeem’s daughter and she is the same age as me. They called me over so I ran to them, however I was very hesitant because my grandfather told me to never wander off.
“Come on!” They yelled in arabic. I shook my head, not wanting to disobey my parents and grandfathers rules. Hadeya still came up to me and grabbed me by the arm, taking me outside.
We then started to play a innocent game of tag, other children started to join us.
“Tag your it!” Hadeya ran away right after tagging me and I ran after her. As I started to run, we separated from the others, however I didn’t realize where we ended up. Suddenly we were in a dark alley, it was a dead-end. We stopped and looked around. As I saw the tears of laughter turn to tears of pure fear, I remembered my grandfather's words. We knew where we were and we knew what would happen. Zahirah and Laila weren’t anywhere near us but I heard distant screams “Get out! RUN!” Hadeya and I looked at each other and started running out of the alley... But it was too late.
I looked up in fear as I recognized the heartless soul in front of me. The terrifying smirk and snap of his fingers as more men appeared. I closed my eyes and prayed that I will be forgiven for disobeying. I prayed for my close friend to not have to suffer because of a game.
The leader of the Sayiya stopped and pushed us to the ground. I felt weak. I looked up to find one of the men grabbing Hadeya by the arm. I couldn’t hear anything. She’s crying, but I couldn’t hear it. They pushed her against the wall knocking down some trash cans, but I couldn’t hear it. I saw the man coming toward me, yelling at me to get up, but I couldn’t hear him. He grabbed me by my arm, I started to cry, and I couldn’t hear it. All I heard was what my grandpa told me:
“Why be afraid, when you have family,” He said while listening to the radio, “Family is everywhere here, don’t be afraid.”
“Blood is not something to be afraid of, you have it in your body,” said Hakeem, “but when you see blood from someone you love, you freeze.”I woke up from my thoughts and I opened up my eyes at the wrong time. I heard blood. I saw the blood of someone I love.
A beloved sister, daughter, and friend.
Given Love, Given kindness, Given happiness, she was not given time. Time is something that can end as quickly as you get it. Some people don’t appreciate time until you see someone’s time get cut short. Your perspective changes when you witness a death especially someone you love.
Why did I survive? Is what I think to myself now. Was it the only time I almost faced death?….no but it was the first. The first time I felt grieve, sadness, depression, scared, weak. When I tell my friends that story they always say, “You’re so brave, you’re a fighter,” But I was weak. I didn’t hear anything until it was too late.
After that I got into trouble with my parents and my grandparents. They were glad I was safe, but they were more mad at the fact I put other people in danger. The people who found me at the perfect time and saved my life.
At school all I saw were whispers and people staring at me. When I went home my parents would pay extra attention to me. I wasn’t allowed to help in my grandpa’s store anymore. I wasn’t even allowed to talk to my friends outside of school. I was lonely.
I always enjoyed going to my grandpa’s store and I would help him. The store was always busy during the day because everyone knows my kind-hearted grandfather and cares for him. In my eyes, he’s the most respectful and generous person in the world. I loved hanging out with him because I learned so much from the stories he tells me. The stories teach me what is right and wrong. He always told me about wandering off without him. Especially because the Sayiya, as people told me, are dangerous people that walked around the streets day and night. No one looked in their eyes, no one spoke to them, no one approached them or even walked near them. I saw them on the news they looked terrifying. They all looked so heartless and would do anything in their power to get what they want. I never saw them, but I’ve heard people screaming at night and my grandfather explained it to me.
“It’s the bad people, go back to sleep,” said my grandfather.
I got up and walked toward him in his chair. I looked up at him and tilted my head, as I wondered why he wasn’t asleep.
He sighed, “Childhood plans your life, having no love as a child affects you forever.” I looked at him confused.
“Having no love as a child makes your heart empty, it will stay empty unless you find love.” He grabbed me and put me on his lap. He then grabbed a photo of my parents and my family, “You have love in your heart, bad people don’t, don’t take it for granted, be grateful no matter what for family.”
I heard another scream and I began to cry. “Crying is good, it shows you have a heart full of love.” He smiled at me and wiped my tears. I smiled back.
*
I helped my grandpa open up his shop early in the morning every day. The only reason it was fun is because he told me stories from when he was younger. When we finished cleaning, we opened the doors as Hakeem, my grandfather’s close friend, walked in and greeted us enthusiastically as soon as he came in.
“Assalamu alaikum Brother!” I smiled. This is one of the reasons I love my culture; everyone's family.
“Assalamu alaikum Rajeeyah!” Hakeem said while he patted my head. While they were talking I saw my friends Zahirah, Hadeya, and Laila. Hadeya is Hakeem’s daughter and she is the same age as me. They called me over so I ran to them, however I was very hesitant because my grandfather told me to never wander off.
“Come on!” They yelled in arabic. I shook my head, not wanting to disobey my parents and grandfathers rules. Hadeya still came up to me and grabbed me by the arm, taking me outside.
We then started to play a innocent game of tag, other children started to join us.
“Tag your it!” Hadeya ran away right after tagging me and I ran after her. As I started to run, we separated from the others, however I didn’t realize where we ended up. Suddenly we were in a dark alley, it was a dead-end. We stopped and looked around. As I saw the tears of laughter turn to tears of pure fear, I remembered my grandfather's words. We knew where we were and we knew what would happen. Zahirah and Laila weren’t anywhere near us but I heard distant screams “Get out! RUN!” Hadeya and I looked at each other and started running out of the alley... But it was too late.
I looked up in fear as I recognized the heartless soul in front of me. The terrifying smirk and snap of his fingers as more men appeared. I closed my eyes and prayed that I will be forgiven for disobeying. I prayed for my close friend to not have to suffer because of a game.
The leader of the Sayiya stopped and pushed us to the ground. I felt weak. I looked up to find one of the men grabbing Hadeya by the arm. I couldn’t hear anything. She’s crying, but I couldn’t hear it. They pushed her against the wall knocking down some trash cans, but I couldn’t hear it. I saw the man coming toward me, yelling at me to get up, but I couldn’t hear him. He grabbed me by my arm, I started to cry, and I couldn’t hear it. All I heard was what my grandpa told me:
“Why be afraid, when you have family,” He said while listening to the radio, “Family is everywhere here, don’t be afraid.”
“Blood is not something to be afraid of, you have it in your body,” said Hakeem, “but when you see blood from someone you love, you freeze.”I woke up from my thoughts and I opened up my eyes at the wrong time. I heard blood. I saw the blood of someone I love.
A beloved sister, daughter, and friend.
Given Love, Given kindness, Given happiness, she was not given time. Time is something that can end as quickly as you get it. Some people don’t appreciate time until you see someone’s time get cut short. Your perspective changes when you witness a death especially someone you love.
Why did I survive? Is what I think to myself now. Was it the only time I almost faced death?….no but it was the first. The first time I felt grieve, sadness, depression, scared, weak. When I tell my friends that story they always say, “You’re so brave, you’re a fighter,” But I was weak. I didn’t hear anything until it was too late.
After that I got into trouble with my parents and my grandparents. They were glad I was safe, but they were more mad at the fact I put other people in danger. The people who found me at the perfect time and saved my life.
At school all I saw were whispers and people staring at me. When I went home my parents would pay extra attention to me. I wasn’t allowed to help in my grandpa’s store anymore. I wasn’t even allowed to talk to my friends outside of school. I was lonely.