Homecoming week was an interesting ordeal this year. On one day, I failed to come up with any superhero gear to wear. Like the three previous years, I was sure I could fly under the radar. Instead, my regular clothes were a hot topic, specifically in my AP Literature and Composition class. Many in the class felt it was necessary to bring attention to my blatant lack of school spirit. I was shocked by the sudden change in behavior of my classmates.

I was also told to “not be that person” by a classmate. You know that person: the one who refuses to participate in school activities and ruins it for the entire class. That was an interesting line, considering I had always been that person. School spirit has never been my thing. Although I do love Mill Valley to an extent, I feel I have better things to do than spend Fridays screaming about the football team. Plus, I’ve seen people participate in school events when they really don’t want to. It’s annoying, and I don’t want to be that person.

For the past three years, I was able to live like this in peace. I was able to politely clap at pep assemblies before staying home from the football game later that night. I did not think this year was going to be any different. The notion that I have to conjure up some school spirit just because I am a senior seems fake and insincere. I’m of the belief that high school will not be the greatest four years of my life, and suddenly becoming a spirited classmate probably won’t elevate the experience much.

I don’t have a problem with school spirit. When someone goes all out for spirit week, I have huge amounts of respect for that person. I just don’t feel I should be forced to participate in activities that I’ve never cared for before this year. I don’t believe it is a right of passage for seniors to participate in activites. Don’t take it personally, I’ll be spending the next four years acting exactly the same.