By Eleanor Swaim

Staff Writer

R.J. Reynolds High School students take great pride in their school. From sporting events to theater performances, the Reynolds Demons will always have one thing in common: showing up. Whether it’s a win or a loss, a good or bad performance, they show up to support their fellow Demons. But does that sense of spirit change throughout the school year?

    Kicking off the new school year with an exhilarating start, football season has a significant impact on student pride. Every Friday, students look forward to a thrilling win under the lights. This school year is more special than others. School spirit is at an all-time high with the new, highly anticipated stadium, “The Crater”.

    In the fall, there are endless events to look forward to. Football games, homecoming, and Halloween are only a few examples of fun events that take place during the first semester. As a fall sport athlete, I really enjoy how overwhelmingly positive the atmosphere is throughout the season. 

    Apart from all of the events that take place during the fall, school days seem to be simply more enjoyable during this time. You’re just getting to know your teachers and classmates, and breaking away from the often slower pace of the summer.  Every day feels like a new and unique experience.    

    Homecoming is a fun series of events that takes place during this time. With a football game, dance, and an entire week of themed school days, the fun never stops. Until, unfortunately, it does.

    As the days begin to shorten during the winter to spring months, school days begin to feel cold, dark, and mundane. These months can take a toll on a student’s well-being. With the added stress of exams, school often becomes more of a task than an enjoyable experience. Basketball can bring excitement, but the indoor atmosphere doesn’t quite match the energy of the roaring crowd in a stadium. A wintertime pep rally, for example, is always a great way to raise school spirit. With fun games, challenges, and performances, pep rallies give students a sense of excitement during those hard months. 

    A study by Nook News found that “Many teachers also notice that students have a hard time concentrating when fall and winter come up. This is because students either aren’t getting enough sleep or just don’t have any motivation to do the work.” During those hard, endless-seeming days, it seems like summer is nowhere in sight.

    Luckily, as temperatures begin to rise, so do spirits. With the end of the school year in sight, students begin to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Nearing the end of March, upperclassmen prepare for the biggest event of the school year- prom. With fun dresses, proposals, and lots of dancing, prom never fails to bring everyone together with excitement and anticipation. This time of year truly becomes a High School Musical, with Reynolds producing its very own school musical. For the students who participate in the arts, months of preparation and practice all come into play during these spring months. Those who aren’t in the play get the privilege of enjoying it.

    All in all, the winter slump many students encounter has a huge impact on their experience and motivation at school. A positive school atmosphere is a vital aspect of the attitude and excitement of students. The drag of the winter really highlights the bright and undemanding aspect of the fall and spring. Stressed and studying alone in your house just doesn’t compare to a mid-fall, Friday night win under the lights.