Coordinated chants boom across the field, balloons stream from the stands and music blares from the band: it’s “Friday Night Lights,” a hallmark of any football season. But behind the raving stands every week, there are dozens of people working ahead of time to plan themes and chants to hype up the crowd.
Creating and promoting the weekly themes, which must be engaging enough to encourage students to dress up and participate, involves the effort of both student councils and ASB.
“The main goal of what we do is to get people hyped,” Spirit and Rally Commissioner junior Liz Jung said. “It starts with doing a lot of advertising for the theme on Instagram or at pep rallies, where we try to pick a diverse group of students that maybe normally wouldn’t participate. The themes we make get a lot of students involved because students show up dressed as a whole unit instead of just by themselves, and they can feel more included.”
According to activities director Jennifer Petrosian, these efforts are a part of a larger initiative to get students involved in games and address diminished school spirit from previous years.
“In the past, Northwood didn’t have as much of a focus on school spirit or sports activities, but we’ve really worked to get more students involved,” Petrosian said. “Usually, for a lot of students, school is just a place for them to work, but we’re trying to show students and families that school can also be a place to have fun.”
The friendly rivalries from the OC Student Section Instagram competitions not only incentivize students to be active participants in themes and chants, but also adds energy to the games. Many players say that having a strong student section motivates them to perform their best.
“Having an excited crowd can mean so much,” varsity football player senior Santiago Sandoval said. “There isn’t another feeling like hearing the roar of the student section during a big play. Knowing our school has our back and seeing everyone support really goes a long way.”
Students can vote for the Northwood student section at the end of each week on Instagram @ocstudentsections and show up to support at the Homecoming football game on Oct. 4 at Irvine High School.
