From Adam Sandler Day to Pink Out, spirit days are a way to be involved and connected with the school.

This first semester of school has been filled with spirit days that allow students to dress up and express themselves creatively. The Board of Student Affairs (BOSA) and the leadership classes work together to develop interactive themes that everyone can participate in.

“If anyone wants to do a spirit day, they run it through BOSA,” senior and BOSA Treasurer Jessica Lin said. “We look for inclusivity [and ask the questions]: Can everyone do it? Can everyone do it who has a huge budget or [small] budget? Can these be easily accessible with things that are found at home?”

Senior Arianna Baca, who is in the leadership program, helps set up and execute all spirit days.

“Spirit days [are used] to promote our school colors or a certain sporting event,” Baca said. “We really just want to rally together and bring a sense of community within the students.”

Dressing on theme can break up the usual school routine and bring students closer to each other.

“I think people just like to see everybody dressed up and having fun,” junior Chase Hetherington said. “I have fun participating in spirit days. Everybody was dressed up so goofy [on Adam Sandler Day].”

Spirit days at Woodside have changed over the past few years, especially after being stalled during the pandemic and online school.

“COVID definitely took a toll on our social environment in general, so being able to bring that community and fun aspect back about school is really fun,” Baca said.

One of the latest changes is a new spirit day. Woodside’s first Red, White, and Blue Day is scheduled for January 12.

“This is the first time Woodside will be able to have a Red, White, and Blue day,” Lin said. “The reason we decided to do red, white, and blue was because not only does it show our patriotism, but it’s also open for interpretation [since] a lot of other country’s flags are red, white, and blue. ”

Participation is optional, but junior class Vice President Lily Gustafson finds that the spirit day is more effective when more people dress up.

“I just think the more people that do it, the more fun it can be,” Gustafson said. “So, if you’re scared that you might be the only one doing it, just get your friends to [join in], and then it’ll be fun.”

Self-expression and respecting what makes each other unique is a key goal for Woodside.

“Each of us is very different,” Lin said. “Our styles are very different. Our backgrounds are very different. We’re a very diverse population, and our spirit days are, in some ways, to celebrate that.”