School Spirit

     This video caught my attention on a friend's facebook which really got me thinking about how school spirit effects classrooms and schools overall. Not only is this video about my alma matter, Owosso High School, but it really shows a school with a lot of spirit and drive to win this particular food drive and new station competition. I am so proud that the band was showcased, as I was a member and current majorette coach, the dance team was featured, the student council, cheerleaders, and students, but was a bit disappointed about how briefly the food they have collected was shown. From my understanding as I participated in this competition five years ago, the goal of this competition is to award a prize to the school who collects the most canned goods to donate to charity. But along with the competition, the news station encourages the schools to be united and spirited in their ways of collecting the food to encourage school pride.
      As I reflected upon this video, I thought of again the days when I participated and how the teachers would award extra credit points to students who brought in canned goods, or who would set up smaller class competitions with in the school to see which homeroom could collect the most cans. I thought this was great fun as a student, and it really did work in bringing unity to the classrooms as we all strategized ways to beat other classes, and organized plans on how we could win.
     But the main reason in doing such competitions was to gather food to donate to charities and organizations to help provide to those in need. At Owosso High, I feel as though this message was given a few times, but the main concern I had was how we were going to be Mrs. Whoever's class, not that I was doing good in and for my community. And this isn't to say the students should be reminded about the importance of helping people over being encouraged to contribute, I just hope the media, schools, and people don't get caught up in the winning and losing aspect of it since any one who brings in a canned good is a winner (I know it sounds cheesy but it's true!).
    Which then makes me think about how I, as a future teacher, can merge the competitiveness and fun with the good citizenship and kind characteristics of such charity work. I really think it depends on the students, the school, the overall competitiveness nature of the individual students, and their experience with participating in charity work. My hope though, is to encourage students to participate in volunteering and the raising of goods for charities/organizations while encouraging them to do such in a fun and unique ways.