By Cassie Florido

Let’s flashback to last Wednesday when we were all crammed into the ridiculously hot, all too purple gym of our longtime rivals the Notre Dame de Sion Storm. We all walked into the gym dressed in our finest leprechaun and pot of gold costumes. Let’s be honest, everyone looked like fools. If you didn’t get weird looks while walking around, you need to try harder next time.

No matter how dumb everyone looked, no one cared because all that mattered was cheering on our Stars. My ears were ringing like crazy because of how loud the crowd cheered. I couldn’t even focus on studying for the three tests I had the next day…fun, right?

Our efforts did not fall short because the volleyball team crushed the Storm. I’m convinced our “Red Hot” cheers helped give our team the edge over Sion.

But what if every game was like that? What if for every game students dressed up in crazy costumes and cheered on STA teams no matter who the opponent is? What if people even traveled to other schools to go cheer on our teams?

I’m not just talking about sports that take place in the gym. Why don’t more people go cheer on the softball, tennis, golf or cross country team? I know no one’s idea of a Saturday morning is going to watch girls run or stand on a golf course watching people hit ball after ball. But these teams could use some school spirit too.

It’s even reached the point where the athletic department has tried bribing people with pizza and gift cards. PIZZA. If not even food can get STA girls into the stands, I don’t know what can.

I know that we all hear the announcements of “spirit buses” that will take us to away games. But it’s even worse to hear the announcement that the spirit bus has been cancelled because no one signed up.

You may not think that it makes a difference if you are at games or not, but it really makes a difference.The teams feed off the energy the crowd gives off. During home games the gym is supposed to be rockin’ with music and screaming students; not quiet and full of parents. Let’s face it, sometimes there are less students in the stands than toddlers, who clap even when the other team scores.

Years from now when you look back on high school, you’re not going to think about the night that you stayed home and spent some quality time with mom and pops. You’re going to remember the time you painted your whole body black and gold as you cheered on your fellow classmates and friends. You’re going to remember that time you watched STA win the biggest game of the season. You’re going to remember the fun you had in the stands, not caring about school or boys, but coming together with your classmates and cheering on the Stars.

So what games are you going to next week?