Oakville has always been prideful in the sense of community that has been formed around it and its associated programs, but in recent times, it has fallen sorely short. From the sports and clubs to everyday school life, Oakville has become just another drab high school. But what can be done?
I do want to preface: I out of all people have seen firsthand this drop in spirit, but more than anything would do something to fix it — I do know that I alone cannot do it.
Whether it’s just a general disinterest in being here in the building or levels of lacking involvement in clubs, there is an underlying problem here. I asked a few students, friends and some teachers that I thought would have meaningful insight, but came to the short consensus that teens are experiencing burnout and an overwhelming interest in getting out of the building as fast as they can. This is seen in how many of the incoming senior class want to enter in or be a part of any and all programs that can get them out of the building. Some of these include dual enrollment at STLCC, CCE (Cooperative Career Education, a class for allowing students to work during the school day and still receive credit), PLL (Personalized Learning Lab, a class for taking virtual classes within the building) and other similar programs.
To add to this, many students have sports, other extracurricular activities or even work after school, which can limit them from attending games or other events held.
To shift this to a more positive outcome, I feel there needs to be change. According to an article by National Association of Secondary School Principals, it explains that creating traditions with the intention to hold them for years to come is key. The article also adds that having student input and bringing alumni into the equation helps better the chances for bringing a sense of spirit back into the building.
Our administration would have to make these changes to see the outcome in which many of us students so desperately want to see — especially me.
In that same article written by NASSP, it further explains that for a proper sense of spirit to form, the principals and many parts of administration need to be heavily involved with the day-to-day of students when possible — being on the front lines if you will. This would certainly be a challenge with everything else their roles require, but if possible, would be a step in the correct direction.
To wrap up: Getting students engaged and with a culminating feeling of spirit, administration needs to put in the hard work now to see the benefits. Students also need to make the effort to where they can — and in doing that — we together can bring back the Oakville Tiger spirit.
