Festive events during finals week make for more relaxed Spartans. photo by Mia Grijalva
TJ hosts many fun events during finals to reward students for their hard work and to celebrate the holiday season.
The end of the fall semester marks finals week, filled with intensive exams testing students’ knowledge on the curriculum learned so far. Since finals can require an abundance of hard work, energy, and exhaustion, the TJ administration and Leadership have organized several fun events in order to reward students for their dedication and motivation throughout the week.
On Wednesday, December 14th, students and faculty are encouraged to dress in their most ghastly attire for an Ugly Sweater Contest during Office Hours, where prizes will be awarded for the winners. Additionally, finals can be very stressful for many students, due to the possibly overwhelming amount of testing and work to be completed; on Thursday, December 15th, during lunch, students are encouraged to attend a “Relax and Focus for Finals” yoga session in the dance room to unwind and relieve stress before the finals period begins. Yoga is shown to calm brain activity and reduce anxiety tensions, so those who need a break before the strenuous testing period begins should attend.
The holiday season wouldn’t be complete without many of the timeless films set during the winter months. On Friday, December 16th, there will be a Holiday Movie Night at 6:30 p.m. in the auditorium, sponsored by TJ Leadership. Students should wear pajamas for the viewing of The Polar Express, so that they can stay cozy and enjoy the holiday fun. Tickets are available to purchase at lunch or after school for $3, or at the door for $5, and includes a bag of popcorn. Additional snacks and drinks will be available to purchase at the event.
On Tuesday, December 20th, following the last scheduled finals, there will be a dodgeball tournament and White Elephant gift exchange as a way to say goodbye to the 2016 semester. Teams of up to six members are welcome for a fee of $25, and the winning team will receive prizes. “It’s awesome for Leadership to put together fun events like the dodgeball tournament in the middle of a time where students are stressing,” said senior Dylan VanSky. “It shows that they’re looking out for us, and that’s something we should all appreciate.”
Those interested in participating in White Elephant should bring wrapped gifts under $10 in value, with a twist- the gift should be as strange as possible. The object of the gift exchange is to not receive the strangest gift, and is a fun way to celebrate the holidays with friends before Winter Break.
While finals can be a stressful time of year, these events are sure to instill enthusiasm and energy to Spartan students and staff members. Though the semester might be over, the fun and hard work shown throughout the building never ceases.
