COVID won’t stop Spirit Week and the homecoming game

Archbishop Carroll’s Spirit Week and homecoming game will not be COVID casualties. 

Both traditions will continue this week, although they will be different than in past years.

Spirit Week begins Monday and, as in the past, will be celebrated with decorated second floor hallways and daily dress down days. One difference regarding the dress down days, compared to last year, is that students will not have to make a $5 donation to participate.

The dress down day themes, chosen by Student Council, are:

• ‘Merica Monday: Dress in red, white, and blue to celebrate the United States of America.
• Tropical Tuesday: Wear tropical, floral, or Hawaiian-style clothing.
• Carroll Pride Wednesday: During PSAT testing, sophomores and juniors should wear your Carroll wear. (Freshmen and seniors get the day off.)
• Zoom Thursday: Dress in a crazy Zoom outfit — business on top; super relaxed on the bottom (pajama bottoms, sweats). 
• Funky Friday: Go crazy with mismatched or silly patterns. It’s all about whacky wear.

The best dressed each day will be rewarded, according to Mrs. Allison Papantoniou, the assistant principal for student affairs.

Also during Spirit Week, students will vote for a homecoming queen and a homecoming king.

COVID forced some Spirit Week changes. Spirit Day — typically the last day of Spirit Week — will not include a lunch period disc jockey because visitors are not permitted in the building,  Mrs. Papantoniou said. Furthermore, the Spirit Day pep rally will not happen because of social distancing rules and crowd size limits, she said.

The homecoming game will happen 12 noon Saturday. Carroll’s Patriots will battle the Archbishop Ryan Raiders. As is tradition, the homecoming court will be honored at halftime, which is when the homecoming queen and king will be crowned.

COVID-based changes for the homecoming game include restricting game attendance to seniors only. Only 250 students and staff members are able to be present at outside events. 

“Unfortunately, the event is only for seniors on a first-come, first-serve basis,” Mrs. Papantoniou said.  “Our capacity is 250 people total and 160 of those are football players, cheerleaders, and band members.”

Additionally, students will be socially distanced in the stands. They will not be able to stand together in one section of the stands like they typically do.

New this year for the homecoming game will be the Zac’s Burgers food truck.

“It was successful last year on 100 Days Until Graduation, so we decided to do it again,” Mrs. Papantoniou said.  

Students sounded upbeat about Spirit Week even though it won’t be the same as in the past.

“It will be unique and different sure, but I think that everyone involved is excited and can’t wait to see how it goes,” Andrew Lynch said.

Maria Procaccini expressed similar sentiments.

“Obviously, it’s different, but I still think it’ll be fun,” she said.

Spirit Week and the homecoming game may be just what the school community needs during the pandemic.

“I think homecoming week could lift our spirits up and remind us how exciting this time can be,” said Ashley Palmer.