It has become hard to ignore the lack of school spirit at Mira Costa considering the low participation during Homecoming and spirit week. Each year, Costa has a low turnout at the Homecoming Dance as well as during Homecoming Week, and attempts to improve this have been futile. Homecoming Week is a celebrated staple of many American high school experiences, comparable to the likes of prom and graduation. Yet many Costa students find that the lack of enthusiasm surrounding it has left Mustangs out of this tradition, according to Associated Student Body Commissioner of Entertainment Franc- esca Bennett. As ASB is the organizing figure in events like Homecoming, it is disheartening that their efforts are largely ignored.
Although there is no doubt that ASB does their best to counter it, the attendance at Homecoming has declined steadily over the years, according to Naylor. The dance itself consistently lacks in attendance, as ASB sold only around 310 tickets at this year’s Homecoming dance. This year, Costa embraced new options by holding the dance solely in the large gym rather than incorporating both the small gym and the Fisher Gym. Spirit days also lacked participation with only a few students dressing up each day. Walking around the quad at lunch made it easy to realize that a very small percent of the school population actually participates in spirit days. This fact is disappointing considering how much effort ASB puts into organizing these events.
Although ASB has attempted to improve school spirit, the lack of organization surrounding Homecoming week certainly does not engage Costa students. For example, in the first round of voting for members of the Homecoming court, Costa senior Iman Bakhit’s name was listed on the boys’ side of the ballot, despite the fact that she is female. ASB announced Homecoming Court in Fisher Gym rather than in the Mustang Mall where it has traditionally been held in the past, and so many students did not even know the candidates for king and queen until much later, according to junior Teya Hartzel. On election day, it was very difficult for ASB to deliver all the ballots, and some classes never recieved them accord- ing to Bennett.
If school spirit continues to decline, then it should be ASB’s mission to improve conditions at our school before hosting dances that lack attendance. Although their efforts are recognized, students need them to continue to come up with new ideas in order to improve school spirit. Otherwise, the enthusiasm will never improve and the lack of school pride will continue to fester.
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