Screaming Scots, push on

Dear Carlmont Students,

With Carlmont most likely continuing with distance learning for the foreseeable future, school spirit has dwindled as students cannot show their enthusiasm for school in person.

Despite this, Carlmont’s Associated Student Body (ASB), is working to allow students to show their school spirit despite being physically absent from the school campus.

“Before lockdown, school spirit events included school assemblies, lunchtime events such as Carlmont Cup, and various food sales that happened after school,” Jono Sison, the junior class president, said.

Previously, many school spirit events took place in the quad, a place in the center of the school. Much has been lost due to online learning, including not being able to participate in these in-person activities.

“(In-person) school spirit activities, especially those in the quad, were enjoyable as they allowed a break from academic work and allowed us to relax for a bit,” said senior Ali Owyang.

ASB have also been scratching their heads recently, wondering how to encourage students to display their school spirit virtually.

“It is obvious that spreading school spirit and keeping students equipped with a positive mindset through distance learning is extremely difficult,” Sison said.

Despite this, Sison and the spirit commission (a part of ASB that assists with all activities related to school spirit) have created a couple of new ways to interact with students. They quickly discovered that social media allows students to show school spirit in a virtual environment.

Since this discovery, it is becoming more apparent that social media plays a significant role in school spirit. Even during in-person learning, social media informed students about ongoing events and activities. Now, during online learning, social media remains operational, unlike many other traditional methods.

“Students get updated about different school spirit events through social media such as Instagram,” said Alexander Watson, a member of the spirit commission.

Not only can students engage through Instagram, ASB hosts game nights over Zoom and different spirit weeks that one can take part in.

Though this may not be the same as playing musical chairs in the quad or buying food from the Student Store, it is still a way for students to engage.

“By interacting with the class accounts, such as voting on our Instagram polls on various topics, students can display their school spirit and engagement,” Sison said.

ASB is trying its best to engage students, but students must play their part too. Just being active on social media isn’t enough; it’s best if a student is proactive and checks many sources of information to stay informed.

“ASB is working hard to deliver us with activities and school spirit days through distance learning, and to show our appreciation for them, and we must participate in those school spirit events such as the ones taking place over Zoom. Make sure to show your spirit through Instagram posts and show your engagement by participating in the spirit weeks they put up,” Owyang said.

Sincerely,

Erwan Pal

On the Front Cover:

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