It was the second week of October, a week filled with exciting events for the Jaguar Community at Lehigh Valley Academy. Spirit Week is one of the biggest weeks here at LVA. It’s a way to bring students and teachers together. It’s a week of fun that involves dressing up and being able to face off with the other grades for the best dressed or the most pride.

We kicked off the week with Comfy Monday, which was followed by Tropical Tuesday. Miss Caroff, who teaches 11th and 12th grade DP Theory of Knowledge, showed up wearing floral print and a huge pink flamingo floater, showing the most spirit. On Wednesday, the Jaguar community had a peaceful day off, although the schoolwork never ends; we put our dedication into our education. Returning the next day, we came back to a throwback of different eras. Students and staff dressed in the era of the 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s and even the early 2000’s for this special throwback. Friday was the Battle of the Classes, where each class dressed in a different color. Freshmen wore red, Sophomores wore blue, Juniors wore pink and Seniors wore white. It was definitely the Battle of the Classes.

The Pep Rally preceeded the biggest basketball game LVA has had in a long time. We had the Black Dragons, which was a mix of teachers, seniors and sophomores, and the opposing team, the White Tigers which consisted of a mix of teachers, juniors and freshmen. The Black Dragons lost by a single point against the White Tigers, sending both sophomores and seniors into a bit of a fit. The game itself was intense and full of fun. On the senior side there were posters held up at all times. Each time a member of the White Tigers ran their way, Edwin Perez, a senior, would hold up a sign and the whole senior class would scream “UH OH STINKY!” to try and throw off the opposing team. The sophomores were always cheering, making sure they were heard. The freshmen and juniors were also loud and made sure to show their spirit with their posters and their chants.

The Soul Steppers, who performed at half-time of the basketball game, did such an amazing job creating something new. The step team showed up with new steppers and this is what threw all of us students and teachers off. Once the Soul Steppers began their routine, part of the team “messed up”, not knowing it was part of the routine. The students of LVA were very surprised by the response. The new steppers would face off the returning steppers and would try and “prove” that they belonged on the Step Team. After a few minutes of showing they belonged, the returning steppers would eventually “mess up” and it would create a small riot. That’s when DP 11 and 12th grade English teacher Mr. Dill would step in blowing a whistle, breaking up the fight would yell, “Hold on, wait a minute, let’s bring some teachers in it” making the whole crowd go wild. Mrs. Boretsky a 9th grade forensic science teacher and biology teacher would join the step team along with Mrs.Walker, an english teacher for 9th grade and Mr.Schaffer, a DP Exercise Science teacher for 11th and 12th grade, would all join and step along with the Soul Steppers.

It was time for the Battle of the Classes. Mrs.Wingerter, a French teacher, would calm down the classes and announce who had the best decorated hallway, showing a “Lost in Asia” theme, was the Junior class. Everyone was slightly upset out but that didn’t bring down their spirit. As each class was chosen to scream as loud as they could, showing all their spirit, Mrs. Wingerter finally came to the senior section, where every senior ran into the center of the basketball court and jumped up and down happily. The seniors went and sat back down but after just a minute of catching their breath, they were back in the center after winning the Most Spirited class.

It was homecoming night after all, girls and boys left early after the long pep rally to get themselves ready for the long night ahead of them. Excited to show off their pretty dresses and nice suits, all the students were excited to party the night away in “Asia.” Votes were casted as to who should be crowned king and queen, and when the moment came, it was exciting and breathtaking. The music was put to a hold and everyone was gathered together. They announced the king to be Jared Sanabria, a senior, and queen as Ella Beaky a junior.

The night was coming to an end, students were leaving after taking a few more pictures with friends and teachers. The music slowly died down, and the night was finally over.

Students and staff at LVA were all excited for the week at the beginning and as it ended it was exciting and fun. Now the Jaguar Community can’t wait for the Quarter 2 pep rally, which we know will be even more fun!