Harry S Truman celebrated its sixth annual Spirit Day on Friday. Check back to view photos of the event.
LEVITTOWN – Kelly Hicks didn’t have to think long and hard to remember the very first Spirit Day held at Harry S Truman in 2007.
“It was very warm,” the Truman junior said. “The energy was high. There were a lot of events – most of the same that are here today.
“What I remember most is that I was part of Barton, and we were dead last after the first half, but we came back and won. It was amazing.”
Five years later, Hicks was back exhorting Barton’s team on as a member of Truman’s Varsity Club. She acknowledges that participating in Spirit Day as a sixth grader had an impact when – three years later – she moved up to the high school.
“It made it less intimidating, and it made me look forward to the future,” said Hicks.
On a windy, cool day Friday, Truman held its sixth annual Spirit Day. According to Hicks, not a whole lot has changed.
“It’s still the same amount of energy, and it’s still fun,” she said. “I look at the kids, and I see how much they appreciate it.”
Gabriel Gutierrez, a member of Truman’s soccer squad, had his Mary Devine squad fired up.
“The best part is seeing the kids’ faces,” he said. “They’re very happy, and it makes me happy to see their smiles.
“I get them to say, ‘Oh Croyden,’ I get them to chant. I feel like a kid again.”
Alexis Sweeney also was part of Truman’s first Spirit Day when she was in sixth grade.
“It was exciting, very exciting,” she said. “My school (Barton) won that year. It’s the end of your elementary school years, and you’re having fun.”
Five years later, Sweeney was having fun coaching her alma mater’s team.
“I’m cheering them on trying to get them pumped up,” she said. “It’s a lot of teamwork, and it’s exciting. The kids are working together, and it’s good.”
Truman athletic director Mike Stock was enjoying his first Spirit Day that saw sixth graders from nine elementary schools converge for a day of fun and friendly competition.
“This is unbelievable,” the first-year AD said. “It’s a great opportunity to bring these kids to our awesome turf field.
“Part of my speech at the end of the day is that this is the same field they will be competing on one day, this is the same field they will be graduating on in another six years. They’re at the halfway point.
“Hopefully along the way, they will be playing on these fields in field hockey, soccer, football, lacrosse and track. We’re trying to get them excited about being on this field and coming to this school.”
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