In Memoriam: Spirit Week (1914-2012)
Madison Wedt
February 3, 2012
Filed under Editorials
School Spirit was born in August of 1914, coincidentally around the beginning of Chanute High School, and lived a long and illustrious life. All those who knew him said their lives had been touched in a profound way by his presence, and until recently School Spirit never made enemies – those he encountered were always fast friends.
There was a feeling of camaraderie, an unmistakable vigor for life that characterized School Spirit. He was known as a positive influence to countless young people throughout his 98 years of life. Those around him were prone to experience random outbursts of joy and spurts of good-naturedly wild behavior that were usually shrugged off by School Spirit’s dear friends, the Administration, as “All in good fun.”
School Spirit had a passion for all extra-curricular activities within his school, but was perhaps most vocal about his support of the athletics program. His influence was so powerful among the student body that a commemorative celebration period of one week was held in his honor twice each year – historically the longest holiday ever established in honor of a famous public figure. These weeks were characterized by an indulgence of all those silly little things that made School Spirit such a darn great person to have around – he was the life of the party – and led up to School Spirit’s favorite time of the year: Homecoming.
It was on these homecoming days that traditionally the boy and girl with characters that most embodied School Spirit were crowned “King and Queen” for a night, and a celebratory dance was customarily held after the ceremony as an outlet for any positive energy that might be left over thanks to School Spirit’s continuing influence on the student body.
After a long and illustrious life, School Spirit, aged 98, passed away on January 9, 2012, at approximately 8:00 A.M., for causes unknown. The death was discovered simultaneously by several students who entered his residence at 1501 W. 36th Street that morning and immediately noticed his missing presence. Resucitation attempts failed. He is survived by half-brothers Apathy and Boredom.
The cause of death remains under investigation. Some say that School Spirit died of natural causes, slowly fading away after a long battle with illness due to malnutrition and lack of support. Others suspect foul play. Authorities say that School Spirit allegedly made quite a few enemies who resented his eternally enthusiastic personage, and whose feelings toward him ranged from apathy to murderous rage. Investigation of the remains will continue, and the authorities expect to round up suspects in the next week.
The staff at The Comet mourn the loss of School Spirit – a dear friend for countless years – and offer sincere condolences to his loving family and friends, who will certainly feel the emptiness without his presence for many years to come. Until, of course, his memory fades into nothing and his former residence quietly becomes, well, purely and soley an educational environment, just like everyone thought they wanted. Goodbye, School Spirit. You will be missed.
