Hey everyone, been browsing around and came across something about 'America's most spirited high school'. What does that even mean? How is 'spirit' measured and does this kind of recognition matter in the college admissions process? Would being part of a super spirited school give me some kind of edge? Thanks in advance for your insights!
Hello! America's Most Spirited High School Award is an initiative typically run by Varsity Brands, a company that specializes in sports and cheerleading apparel. The award honors a high school that demonstrates unparalleled school spirit and community pride. 'Spirit' is usually evaluated based on how students, staff, and the community demonstrate pride and enthusiasm in their school’s athletic teams, clubs, activities, or in the school itself.
The aspects they look at can include energetic pep rallies, passionate student supporters at games, school-wide participation in events like homecoming, charity initiatives, and so on. The application process often involves submitting a video showcasing the school's spirit, along with essays explaining how the school raises spirit and brings the community together.
As for if it helps your college application - that's a bit of a tricky question. Simply being part of a highly spirited school in itself won't give you an advantage in the college admissions process. What's of greater interest to colleges is your personal involvement and achievements. If you played a significant role in fostering and showcasing that spirit – for example, if you're the school mascot, a cheerleading captain, or the student council president – these roles would usually be seen positively in an application, as they highlight leadership, communication skills, and community engagement. However, it's important to note that these activities would fall under Tier 3 extracurriculars.
In essence, being part of a spirited school doesn't automatically give you an edge, but your individual contributions to that spirit just might. So focus on your personal involvements, passions, and achievements rather than relying on overall school awards. All the best in your application journey!
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