As students get back into their school routines after a long summer break, students may begin to feel unease. Especially Baruch’s freshmen who are still warming up to the high school experience, and the seniors who are trying to make the most of their last memories at Baruch.
Whether dressed up to match their favorite teacher or in their spooky costumes, students are given an opportunity to connect, laugh and share sweet memories which they will cherish for the rest of their high school journey during Spirit Week.
Freshman Emanaye Wiggins shares what she enjoys during Spirit Week.
“Spirit week is fun and we get to express ourselves. I think it brings more togetherness in a community. And I’m a freshman so I get to talk to people,” she said.
Freshmen have had many opportunities to socialize and mingle. Between the freshmen field trip, school days and the Back to School Bash hosted by BEC (Baruch Events Committee), it’s been a busy month for them.
Faculty and students alike hope to see them familiarize themselves with the school and feel welcome in the community.
Student Government is Baruch’s association of students and advisors. They are responsible for schoolwide events, Spirit Week being one of their many plans.
Deborah Glick—Baruch’s history teacher and Student Government advisor—has been a part of student government since 2023 making this year her second year. She shares how freshmen can benefit from Student Government activities.
“I think that spirit weeks and all the other stuff that Baruch Events Committee (BEC) and the Student Gov does is all about creating a more positive environment,” she said.
Glick also did something similar as a highschooler. She believes it is a great opportunity to become a leader and build onto Baruch’s school’s culture.
“I really like student government. I did something similar when I was in school so I like helping kids be able to do the same. I think it’s a really good opportunity to become a leader in this school and to help the kids build more of a culture in this school,” Glick said.
Glick goes on to explain the benefits it has for the community as a whole, but especially freshman. She said, “I think if it makes your week or your month a little brighter that’s the goal. And it’s fun to get engaged in those things. So I think especially for freshmen I hope that it helps them feel welcomed into the community and for seniors I hope it gives them a good last year or at least contributes to it.”
On the other hand, Baruch’s seniors are getting their last taste of highschool experiences.
Senior Dakota Martinez-Jenkins enjoys spirit week but has some notes for this year’s one in particular.
“I like spirit week. I feel like we could have done a little bit more. Two years ago we had something called character day basically like halloween, just not in October. We also had soccer moms and biker – something I don’t know. When they pick a designated thing for students to do besides traditional jersey day, it’s more creative,” said Martinez-Jenkins.
“Middle school, I actually wore uniform so we didn’t have spirit days/weeks but we had this thing called passes … we didn’t have a typical spirit week like we do in a public school. If I could recall anything I would go back to freshman year,” she said.
Martinez-Jenkins goes on to recall a particular and remarkably impressionable Baruch Spirit Week theme: Decade day. A day where each grade dresses as a different decade.
“I feel like because I’m a senior I take it more seriously because it is my last spirit week ever, unless we have another one within the next few months…it’s gonna be the last time to ever do that with all of my friends and classmates.” She said.
Baruch’s Student Body President, Marilyn O’day has been a part of student government since her sophomore year. She began her Student Government journey as a Student Representative.
“It’s going really well. I think we have a great team, especially the exec board. We are all really active members of Student Gov which makes it really easy to plan fun events such as spirit week,” She said.
O’day explained how it usually takes about two meetings. Student Government meets in the mornings and spontaneously throughout the week. They are expected to arrive at school before eight am to discuss with Student Government advisors, Tedi Schaffer or Glick’s room to discuss roles, themes and how they will go about promoting their event.
O’day shares the goals Student Government has for Spirit Weeks.
“So, our goal is to do a spirit week either every month or every other month. We haven’t decided yet. Whatever ideas that we don’t use during one spirit week, we will probably just roll it over to the next one. Personally, I’m trying to find a way to fundraise for it just so the student gov can get more money, but we have had some pretty successful fundraisers so far this year…” said O’day.
O’day talks about Baruch’s most popular and loved Spirit Week themes like Dress as Your Type Day and Barbeque Dads Versus Soccer Moms. Student Government is also interested in adding a new day: Anything but a Backpack Day. However, this sparks confusion considering Baruch’s limited space in the hallways.
She also said, “I was also in student government in middle school. I kind of took what I learned from that experience and translated it into my presidency…when I got into more of a leadership role, I made sure all students were involved in it, whether you are in Student Gov or on the Exec Board and just make sure students know what’s going on, it’s not like an exclusive club, it’s something that is meant to benefit the school.”
Baruch’s spirit weeks keep its students active and invited in the community. It’s a warm and open welcome to the new freshman and a final experience for the graduating class.
The goal of spirit week is to get grades 9-12 involved and in the school spirit, in hopes its effects cause long lasting friendships and memories in Baruchians. Spirit week finds ways to allow students to come together and share special bonds through silly, heartfelt and fun days like these.
