By: CATHERINE PORTER
Flipping through the pages of older editions of the Legend yearbook, one can see the record of traditions, each meant to instill a sense of school-wide pride and spirit. Within these 58 volumes is the history a student body founded on rich customs, some more than five decades old.
Past traditions ranged from Senior Slave Day, a fundraiser where seniors would boss juniors around for an entire day, to Kids Day, when students would dress as young children and play games outside. At one point in the school’s history, the day of the game against Edgewater was a “Silent Day” and a red “E” was painted upon the foreheads of those who disrupted it. Evidence of these traditions is dwindling, and we should not only continue to hold pride in the school, but also fight to preserve the traditions that do remain.
To a certain extent the importance of spirit and custom is underrated. Although they exist among the Rowdy Crowd and through pre-game tailgating, a limited number of students are encouraging what should be one’s inborn sense of school pride. The students, faculty and community must recognize the importance of this pride, take advantage of every opportunity offered, and appreciate the spirit that defines the Reservation.
Over five decades, the campus traditions that once unified the school gradually died out; some disappeared due to liability and safety issues, as was the case with Senior Slave day, and others through the natural progression of the school. Currently, Senior Snakes, orange Fridays, homecoming in the gymnasium and elements of the rivalry game against Edgewater form the remaining traditions.
However, loss of tradition does not justify lack of appreciation for the school, nor diminished school pride. Students should still fully appreciate our school’s unique nature, for only at Boone can one find a campus driven by tradition, supported by an unparalleled community-base and defined by successes extending far beyond the reach of the athletic realm.
With the return of our 59th game against Edgewater, we must welcome the return of tradition with renewed passion. It is no longer adequate to be bystanders in the happenings of the school. Football games, though spirited in their own way, are largely dominated by students milling about the concession stand, with the minority in the stands cheering or otherwise showing support. And though sporting events are social by nature, it is absurd that students pay $6 to attend a school event without supporting the athletes in more than just a monetary way. The easiest way to support one’s school is by actively participating in offered opportunities, and today is the perfect time to start.
Past traditions such as the student section at football games may have been flawed, but they were admirable in their purpose to encourage students and teachers to rally around one another. Organizations like the Boone High School Athletic Association and the PTSA contribute an extraordinary amount of resources for the benefit of the students, and showing school spirit is the simplest way to thank them.
As the war drum beats throughout the day rallying students towards a common goal, the student body and community should remember our school was built upon a wealth of spirit, talent and community support. A return to old customs is not
only long overdue, but also necessary to preserve our history. We are known for more than just athletics
and academics; we are also known for our sense of community. And though students will graduate and times change, the spirit and pride we show now—the single greatest Boone tradition—will forever live on.