But during Gulf High School's Spirit Day, class pride can easily reignite in the Dizzy Bat Spin or tricycle race.
By MICHELE MILLER
Published October 15, 2003
NEW PORT RICHEY - Jeff Kurkowski took a flying leap, landed smack on his belly and made a soapy mess as he wriggled like a reptile toward the finish line. It was "senior power" at its best, a Herculean effort that brought cheers and wild applause from his classmates in the stands.
But it was not enough to stop the sophomores.
When all was said and done, the sophomores, who timed in at 1 minute and 9 seconds, were named the champions of the 2003 Gulf High School Slip and Slide relay competition. Despite Jeff's amazing, awe-inspiring belly flop on plastic, the seniors didn't even make it to last place. They were disqualified when one of their competitors got up on all fours.
That's a no-no.
So it goes during the spirit games, a special homecoming activity leading up to the big football game, that pits the classes against one another in a test of spirit.
"It's fun - it's fun for the kids," said teacher Amy Riddle, who serves as an adviser for the student council that organizes homecoming activities. "Spirit Day is my favorite day. All the kids get involved in this."
The seniors took a bit of a beating in the Slip and Slide and the Dizzy Bat Spin competition, which went to the junior class. They saw their glory later on, by winning the tricycle and obstacle course races, hands down.
"This is a fun day. It's a day to support your school and support your class - and it's fun to watch the seniors win," said Tabitha Breda, one of many seniors donning the traditional green and white crown for the day."Only the seniors are allowed to wear crowns. It's like we're in charge of the school and stuff."
Other Homecoming Week activities included the nighttime powder puff game, pie-eating contests, dress-up days and a community parade.
Then there was the dance on Saturday night, something that Kimberly Murphy, a sophomore with suds in her eyes after helping her team win the Slip and Slide, was really looking forward to. "This year I have a date, so it's going to be good."
