To view photos of the Spirit Day activities, visit the Photo Gallery by clicking on the following link and look under the category ‘School Events & Signings’: http://photos.suburbanonesports.com/
LEVITTOWN - The chants of ‘Let’s go Maple Shade’ began faintly at first but picked up momentum as more and more students joined in supporting the final pair to cross the finish line in the three-legged race.
It didn’t matter if you were a student at Maple Shade or Emerson, Buchanan or Lincoln. What mattered most was the unified show of support for a team that – in this event – finished last but was applauded for finishing the race.
There are no losers on Spirit Day at Harry S. Truman. Only winners, and that brief moment effectively captured what this day – sponsored by the school’s Varsity Club - is all about.
Under a beautiful blue sky, 618 sixth graders from nine Bristol Township elementary schools came together on Wednesday for a spirited day of competition that is more about camaraderie than it is about winning.
Varsity club member Larry Emerson conveyed that message to his team.
“I tell them, ‘Don’t worry about winning or losing. If you win, it’s just icing on the cake. You have to have fun. That’s what this day is all about. You guys are out of school – go out and have fun. Don’t get your heads down when if you lose,’” he said.
A member of the wrestling team, the former Lafayette student spoke from experience.
“When I wrestle, if I lose, that helps me get back into it and work harder,” Emerson said.
Senior Josh Kline, a member of the soccer team, admits he initially wasn’t sure he wanted to join the Varsity Club. After foregoing the experience as a junior, he joined the club this year and has no regrets.
“I came out here today, and I didn’t know what to expect,” he said. “We had a field day at Emerson, which is where I went to school, but we didn’t do this. This is fun.
“I really am enjoying this. It’s for the kids. They get all hyped, and sometimes they feel as if they’re invincible, especially if they’re winning.”
Kline, who worked as a lifeguard at Sesame Place, has had experience getting kids hyped.
“It’s easy for me,” he said. “I can do pretty well at that, and if they’re having a good time, it makes your part a lot easier. It’s not really a job. It’s volunteering, but still, it’s fun.”
Junior Meghan Rowe, a member of the track and volleyball teams, was enjoying her first Spirit Day.
“It’s been really fun because I’m working with the elementary school I went to,” the Emerson alum said. “My little sister and all of her friends are over there, so I know them, and it’s really fun.”
What was Rowe enjoying the most?
“The energy,” she said. “They’re just so happy. These kids are just crazy.
“You have to get them going, but once they get going, they keep it going by themselves.”
Emerson echoed a similar sentiment.
“I enjoy being around kids, and they’re all happy and excited, and it’s the best thing watching them all have fun,” he said. “I have a couple of friends that live down the street from me that I have known since they were born, and watching them have fun is awesome.”
Mike Connolly, a member of the football team, also enjoyed working with the students.
“I also had a chance to see some of my old teachers,” he said. “All the little kids are running around having fun. It’s fun.
“I like trying to coach them and watch them do some of the things we tell them to do. Our team isn’t doing too good, but we keep trying. As long as they have fun and cheer for each other, it’s good.”
It was the fifth year for the event, which was sponsored and directed by the approximately 40 Varsity Club members, and on this day, fun and bonding are the main objective.
“It never gets old,” athletic director George Collins said. “It’s just a great opportunity for us to bring all the kids together from our elementary schools because they’re ultimately going to graduate as a senior class from this high school in six years.
“The experience of socializing and getting to know one another is important. It’s very important to provide transitions in school districts, so that’s our goal. I think it’s successful, but that’s coming from a biased person.”
Biased or not, one fact was clear – everyone was having a lot of fun competing and supporting one another.
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