The Mighty, Mighty Spartans

Spartan students and faculty show school pride and spirit.
by Asia Dorsey
photo by Manny Perez
    There is something beautiful about Spartan Spirit that is so effervescent I don’t even have to reiterate its amazingness, because this year actions can speak louder than words.

     There has been a surge in school spirit since the last time I wrote about it. Clubs are emerging, participation in extracurricular activities is up, and the amount of student motivation at Thomas Jefferson high school is almost staggering.

    If the question is student motivation, the answer is Peace Panel, Student Forums, Poetry Slam, Gay Straight Alliance, Game Club, Cheese Club, the Fly Girlz dance crew, just to name a few. Students are coming up with these ideas of expanding the things that they already love, and people are responding. Teacher sponsors and support is abundant and forthcoming, and I personally am proud to see how this school is shaping up.

    As far as student participation goes, I’ll give you an example. Student Council last year had less than 24 students. This year it’s approaching 50, and growing. Interact Club was about twelve strong last year and the numbers this year are over twenty. And the cheerleaders…how their brightly clad team has grown and improved. I sit amazed at games watching them performing their excellent stunts. At any given EXCEL time I am sure to find over 50 students participating in TJ’s chapter of Young Life, and it’s beautiful.

    And for the teachers, I’m proud to announce that they’re stepping up, as well. Taking on initiatives like school unity, spearheading and reviving the Speech Team, starting the soccer clubs and knitting clubs, and I know that there are plenty more that I’ve missed. Just know that we all thank you.

    I feel it and see it as I walk through the halls. There is less litter in parking lot, less graffiti on the walls, and more people sporting TJ gear on any given day. Not only that, but I feel as though the administration is listening. That’s a big one; we all have to acknowledge the fact that we have a very supportive administration backing us up and supporting all the things we are trying  to do: Derek Steffes with all his extra time and help with Student Council; Cindy Allen and her allowing students to book space for Poetry Slams and other activities; Lani Nobles for allowing the Fly Girls to fly once more; Sandra Just for being so open-minded to it all, approving plans for the Peace Panel, allowing the long-banned toga day to happen. Students are feeling almost overwhelmed with support. I have friends at other high schools who can’t believe we can so easily take initiatives and start clubs without many restrictions or fights, to which I can exclaim, “ Well, that’s  just how it is at TJ.” And all of this to say before the first semester is up.

    Again I challenge you dear reader. If you are extracurricularly involved, I beseech you to take the responsibility of encouraging others to join you. If you are not, then try it. I’m sure you have a life outside of TJ, and that’s all good and well. But I encourage you to expand that life into the realm of the school community. Get active. Be merry. A little bit of time goes a long way, and I’m sure that there is some lonely Spartan out there just waiting to share your interests.

    As a senior, I feel like I’m leaving Thomas Jefferson High School in better hands than even the ones that welcomed me. To quote a cliché, I’m proud to say… This is Sparta.

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