story by Siobhan Miller, photos by Maggie Rellihan

For the past 10 years, STA has offered the auction pants to students as an incentive to sell raffle tickets for the annual auction, held on Nov. 17 this year. To receive the pants, students must sell a minimum of 10 raffle tickets that cost $10 each. Advisers will provide students with their initial ten tickets. If a student sells more than ten tickets, they can receive additional tickets in the testing center. After turning in their tickets to the testing center, students can wear the pants until Christmas break. According to Ms. Terri Egelhoff, in addition to providing a warm uniform alternative during the winter, the pants “serve as an incentive for students to sell raffle tickets for the auction.” Other motives for students to sell raffle tickets are the prizes awarded. If a student sold five tickets by Oct. 15, they won a Mr. Goodcents lunch on Oct. 18. If they sold five tickets by Oct. 29, they won a Waldo Pizza lunch on Nov. 6. Also, if every student in an advisory sells at least four tickets, the advisory wins a Chipotle lunch on Dec. 5. The top-selling student in each class (selling a minimum of 25 tickets) wins $100. Lastly, the class that sells the most tickets wins a jeans day and yard day.

In past years, the pants have typically been a traditional sweatpant style. They were all black with an elastic bands around the waist and ankles. However, students often cut off the band around their ankles. Before last year, the pants tended to be loose and baggy, so students often wore shorts underneath them. The sweatpants were made out of a thick cotton material with a logo, usually STA or STARS, written down the pant leg. After receiving complaints from parents that the girls looked “sloppy,” the administration decided to move towards yoga pants. However, last year, the administration received feedback from students who weren’t satisfied with the “semi-yoga pant” style. In response, the Star Parents’ Association ordered a true “yoga pant.”

“After listening to the girl’s feedback from last year, [Star Parents’ Association] decided to order a ‘lululemon’ style pant,” said Ms. Cynthia McCarthy. “We wanted to get something that the girls will like and be excited about so they will want to sell raffle tickets.”

This year’s pants are made of a cotton-spandex with a yellow tie dye foldover waistband embroidered in black with the STA logo.The pants are tightly fitted and flare out toward the bottom. The administration ordered this pant style because they are more formal than sweatpants.

In the past, the pants were designed by a few parent volunteers whose daughters gave input. Now, the company that makes the pants, Summit Sportswear, designs a few options for the Star Parents’ Association committee to consider. After deciding on their favorite style, the committee presents the pants to President Nan Bone for approval. Although the pant designs are becoming more formal and uniform-like, the Star Parents’ Association hopes that they will still be a comfortable uniform alternative that will motivate students to sell raffle tickets.