Spirit Club Boosts School Pride at Newbridge Road
Students have a lot of pride at Newbridge Road Elementary School and the Spirit Club is tasked with sustaining that enthusiasm and excitement. It is one of many leadership opportunities for the school’s senior students.
At the beginning of each year, sixth graders apply for the Spirit Club and write why they would be an asset to the group. Once chosen, they meet to plan the spirit assemblies, which are held on the first Friday of each month. Leading up to each assembly, the group gets together several times with Principal Amanda Licci to conceptualize an idea and bring it to life. The Spirit Club members then decide who will take on each task, such as dressing up at Thunder the mascot, playing the music and leading students in the school song.
The monthly spirit assembly has skits or games related to a holiday or school event. For May, the Spirit Club’s theme is good sportsmanship at field day, which takes place at the end of the month. A winter spirit assembly included a snowman says activity.
Spirit Club member Joseph Xenakis has enjoyed attending the spirit assemblies since the initiative started a few years ago, and always looked up to the sixth graders leading the program. Now, he feels honored to be on the other side.
“I want to make sure the assemblies are fun for all grades,” he said. “It makes people happy and it brings school pride.”
Grace Wang likes working with other sixth grade leaders to create monthly assemblies that raise spirit and bring smiles to all students. She also takes the responsibility seriously that as a Spirit Club member, she is a role model for the rest of the school and must set a good example.
Spirit Club members have their own T-shirts to wear during the monthly assemblies, which were designed by teacher Brenda Adragna.
Ms. Licci commended this year’s Spirit Club members for their enthusiasm and pride, and said they have come up with a lot of good ideas for the monthly programs. The difference they have made throughout the year as leaders, she added, is noticeable among the student body.
“What better way to show your spirit than by seeing your peers in roles of leadership and wanting to emulate them,” she said.