After more than a year of waiting, many students, including myself, were finally able to experience a close-to-perfect Spirit Week, originally held yearly during October. When I entered the lobby doors on the Monday of Spirit Week, I saw the black and gold posters screaming, “It’s Spirit Week!” marking the beginning of a long-anticipated event. I instantly knew that it was going to be exciting. 

Throughout the week, there was a specific theme for each day, in which students would dress according to that theme to show school spirit. Monday was “Sports Mania Monday,” where students were asked to wear team uniforms to school. To further promote school spirit, there was a rally during lunch in which all the fall sports teams were introduced, and the cheer team provided a performance. 

Tuesday was called “Groovy Tuesday,” a 60’s and 70’s themed day. Music from the ’60s to the ’70s played loudly during community time and lunch in the hubs of student life, such as the courtyard. Furthermore, some teachers dressed for the theme, creating a sense of unity among the high school. 

Wednesday’s theme was “Mustang Match-Up,” and students would twin with a friend or a group of friends. For instance, many students chose to wear pajama pants with their friends to show their spirit. 

Thursday was “Black and Gold Day,” and the entire school was flooded with the official school colors. 

Saturday was “Fall Spirit Day,” and on this day, the school was full of co-curricular events across all divisions, whether that was sports or other activities.

Out of the five days, Thursday was the most affecting for me. ASIJ’s official colors flooding the school, the variety of activities in the courtyard, the loud music playing on Mr. Nelson’s giant speakers — it felt just like pre-pandemic Spirit Week. During the day, my friends sold boba to MS and HS students for Abot Kamay, and many students roamed around the courtyard to buy and enjoy. Seeing all the students laughing and enjoying their time even whilst living through Covid-19 was a relief, especially relative to the school environment last year. Additionally, for the MS students that had been barred from school trips due to the pandemic, I hoped that such an exciting event at school would make up for recent losses.

With the winter season coming up, I hope to see the revival of Winterfest, too. Unlike Spirit Day, in which only students involved in activities and sports were allowed to attend, I am hopeful that everyone will be allowed on campus for Winterfest to enjoy the festivities. With Covid cases decreasing dramatically in Tokyo, I daresay that we can remain optimistic for the return of the long-awaited Winterfest.