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Do you have trouble hiding your Islander pride?
Or is your closet a "hornet's nest" of red and black?
For many students, school pride is an important and enriching part of the high school experience one that can benefit not only those who participate in athletics and activities but also those who watch.
"It's part of what makes you feel a sense of belonging with your school," said Joe Kutlas, activities director at Grand Island Senior High.
And constructive school pride is encouraged at area high schools, which organize theme nights for athletic events, spirit weeks, pep rallies, cheer squads, marching bands, parent groups, student spirit committees, dances and other events and organizations.
Decades ago, people went to contests and sporting events to watch the event itself, said Rocky Almond, activities director at Grand Island Northwest.
But that's not always the case today.
The teenagers of the 21st century go not only to watch a good game and support their team but also to take advantage of opportunities to dress up and participate in contests and games for audience members.
Like a number of high schools, Northwest has organized theme nights to coincide with athletic events. Past themes have included Harley-Davidson night, superhero night, retro uniform night and Elvis night.
The themes add enthusiasm to the atmosphere, Almond said, especially if the game is a blowout or not going as well as expected.
"It's so important to the kids that are participating," Almond said. "Nobody likes to play in an empty gym. I think it just gets a buzz going for the upcoming game or match."
About 80 percent of the students at Grand Island Central Catholic participate in activities, making displays of school pride all the more valued, said Howard Schumann, Central Catholic activities director and assistant principal.
"I think, because so many are in activities, they appreciate the support they receive from the student body," Schumann said.
And there are many ways for the students to participate.
Keri Simonds and Mike Buck, seniors at Central Catholic, help organize theme nights for their high school's events as the spirit committee co-chairs.
Students can spend hours getting ready for game theme nights, Simonds said, and the events are unifying for a student body composed of both middle and high school students.
"I like knowing that you go to the game and it's a huge deal," she said. "It's a great feeling knowing our school just comes together like that."
"I think it's fun just to get into the game and support your school, support your friends who are out there," Buck said.
Others, like GISH senior and marching band drum major Lauren Shoemaker, display their pride by performing for the crowd.
"I think we really help promote the school spirit," Shoemaker said. "I've heard from my peers that they really love it when the band goes, because they just feel like it's more of an athletic atmosphere."
School spirit can also create a sense of competition between the two crowds themselves, said Eric Schwieger, a GISH senior who participates in numerous athletic events.
"I think it gives the students respect for their school, and it allows us to get excited at games and show off that we are Islanders and we love our school and we love to support our athletes," said Vanessa Gauthier, a senior athlete and student council president at GISH.
Above all, displays of school spirit are fun for the student athletes and for spectators, local athletic directors said.
"It's good to just have pride in what you're doing and have pride in your school," Shoemaker said. "And if you have pride in what you're doing, it's going to show."
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