With students practically shaking with excitement for winter break, the Class of ‘23 added to that a holiday-themed spirit week. Throughout the week prior to vacation, students were encouraged to follow a common theme each day.
On December 13th, Instagram page @maldenhs_co23 posted the announcement detailing the themes of each day. “What better way to get into the holiday spirit than by having a HOLIDAY SPIRIT WEEK,” the post asked.
The first day, December 19th, was Merry Monday/Holiday Pajamas, with students showing up in a range from flannels to snowflake fleece pants. Many students leapt at the opportunity for a dress-down day and wore pajamas to school without judgment.
After school, starting at 3:00 pm, How the Grinch Stole Christmas was streamed in Cafe A with free admission. Once inside, concessions like snacks and water could be purchased. Funds from concessions would go towards the Class of ‘23, but the rest of the week “was not a fundraiser” and was instead “just to have fun,” according to Class Advisor Michael Lightbody.
Sweater Weather followed on Tuesday, and students wore a range from ugly Christmas sweaters to winter-themed hoodies. Blues, greens, and whites could be seen throughout the halls. Lightbody advertised that students could “come to the basketball game after-school and get concessions also sold by the senior class” on this day as well.
A common theme for school dress-up weeks includes a Flannel Day, which was no different this time around with Lumberjack Day. This day had the most student participation as most students already had readily-accessible clothing that fit the theme. Flannel tops, plaid pants, and anything of the sort could be seen at every turn in the halls.
Now more than halfway through the week, white flooded the halls with Winter Wonderland Day. Akin to Black-Out Day from Homecoming week, the prompt matched all students in white clothing for the wintery season ahead.
To end the week and school before break, Friday brought perhaps the silliest prompt of Crazy Hat Day. On a normal school day, students are not permitted to wear hats inside the building. An exception was made, though, for the three-hour school day just prior to the holiday break. Students came in with anything from wigs to tree toppers to Santa hats.
As the week came to an end and the school transitioned into holiday break, students were not the only ones celebrating. MHS staff organized a series of holiday trivia for teachers. Every day for that week, staff members Ms. DeRosa and Ms. Alexis came onto the intercom to announce the question or puzzle for the day. Prizes included the usage of Principal Mastrangelo’s parking spot, a free yearbook, and much more.
While levels of excitement varied from teacher to teacher, several faculty members rushed to their phones at the start of the period to call down with the correct answers. And a few came out victorious, gleefully claiming their prizes.
The idea behind the event, otherwise known as TeachMasKwanzaaChanukkah (Teacher/Christmas/Kwanzaa/Chanukkah), was the same as the Holiday Spirit Week - to bring excitement and enthusiasm to the school before break. Always a fan of theatrics, DeRosa alongside Alexis demonstrated holiday cheer every morning.
For both faculty and students, the enthusiasm and holiday cheer was most obvious when the bell rang at 11:00 and Mastrangelo wished everyone off to a great break.
