The class color day games have been around for years and have become a staple for the Lemont High School spirit week. The games are full of rivalry and the utmost support from students toward their grades. However, they looked a little different this year.
In the past, the series of games have been held on the football field, housing the students in the bleachers. On the home side sat the freshman, sophomores and seniors. It was always the juniors who got kicked to the away bleachers due to an absurd amount of rivalry between them and the seniors. Due to weather conditions, this year the games were held in the main gym.
This immediately got a wide surge of backlash from the students. Students were frustrated and angry with this due to the past years being consistently held on the football field.
“Bro, no,” Senior Fiona Tkatch said after hearing the news.
However, the games haven’t always been held on the football field. In the past, in the pre-covid days, the games were held in the gym. It was due to the distancing rules that the games had to be moved outside. So in reality, moving the games inside marks LHS going back to its old ways of school spirit. Matthew Doherty, LHS’ school Vice Principal, was this movement’s biggest supporter.
“We are super excited to let the students experience the feeling of the games inside,” Doherty said.
The weather may not have been in the students favor, but it sure was in Doherty’s. The games were officially moved inside and the students slowly awaited for the day to come. A few were excited, but the majority dreaded the idea. It wasn’t until after the games when the opinions of the students changed.
“It was definitely loud in there but the energy was unmatched. It was so much fun inside,” Junior Ella Kinciad said. The concentrated energy within the gymnasium was unlike anything the students have seen. The competition between the grades was through the roof. Many found that being inside, resulted in not only a better surge of school spirit, but a better experience overall.
“I understand why they put the juniors on the other side, but I never liked it,” Senior Annabelle Dierking said. “I was actually able to see all of the competitions and I could tell what was going on.”
(Nadia Wodziak)
Students from the student sections were able to directly support their fellow classmates, having the games take place directly in front of them, just 10 feet in front of the bleachers. Students were able to celebrate with their class instead of being separated from bleachers to the track. The gym was filled with excitement and an overwhelming amount of support.
The students still, however, have mixed opinions on the matter. Many complained about the volume being too loud compared to the football field amongst other things. While it was exciting to all of the students supporting each other, housing all of the LHS students in one area definitely got to be crowded and overwhelming.
With fan-favourite Class Color Day over, as well as the games and all other Homecoming spirit week activities, there’s no telling what’s in store for next year. Whether or not the games are inside or outside is up to the students, only time will tell.
