Spirit Week 2011!

 As most of us know, Homecoming week and Homecoming itself is a pretty big thing at Poca High school.  From red and grey day to class competitions, homecoming is always a fun and exciting time at Poca.

This year homecoming should be even more special due to the extra activities throughout the week.  We have get up and go day on Monday, mismatch day on Tuesday, cowboy and Indian day on Wednesday, character day is on Thursday, and red and grey day is Friday.  We have also added powder-puff, class competitions, class posters, and tailgating before the homecoming football game Friday.  The regular and the new homecoming activities will make a fun and exciting week during homecoming. 

In previous years, about 75 percent of people dress up and actually participate in the days of spirit week.  It would make spirit week and homecoming a lot more fun and exciting if everyone participated and got into it.  All of us know that Poca High School isn’t best known for having the most school spirit and that really needs to change!  This year, I think the more people will participate in the days of spirit week because they are easier to do and more exciting than usual.

Personally, I’m most excited for powder-puff and competing with all the other classes.  The last time we played powder-puff was our freshman year and we tied with the seniors.  This isn’t one of our regular or traditional activities during spirit week, but most likely after this year it will be.  Even though it was a successful turn out a few years ago, we haven’t really had time or put fourth any effort to play powder-puff since then.  Each class gets to design their own shirt for the game and schedule practices for their team. Hopefully the seniors will come out on top this year and show the freshman, sophomores, and juniors what’s up.  It is also the last day of spirit week, (Friday) so everyone should be excited and ready to play. 

I know each class will be competing, but I really hope this year’s spirit week and homecoming will really bring our school together and boost our schools spirit. 

Dropping out is NOT the answer!

Why do kids drop out of high school and why is the dropout rate greatly increasing? Many people say the graduation requirements are much harder now days, which I can agree with but, I also believe kids are just lazier these days.  You used to rarely see any one drop out but now that’s all you see.

The dropout rate was changed just recently from 16 to 17.  They were deciding between ages 16 and 18, so they compromised and chose the dropout rate to be 17.  Personally, I think it is absolutely stupid to go to school your entire life and drop out when you are 17 years old.  You have worked too hard and put way too much effort to let it all go to waste with one decision.  I know you can always get your GED but many kids won’t do that because they still have to put forth the effort. 

I would like to see the dropout rate changed to 18 to make kids receive their high school diploma.  I know this probably won’t happen, but I truly think it’s the best for high school students.  Since the dropout rate won’t be changed, I wish kids would be FORCED to take and pass their GED if they drop out of high school.  I also think the dropout rate would be much lower if kids were forced to either pass their GED or get a job if they drop out. 

Everyone always talks about how our generation is so lazy.. blah blah blah.  Of course that is true, but it’s time for our elders, parents, family, teachers, counselors, coaches, and whoever else influences our decision to start reminding children to stay in school.  Many kids now days just don’t care about anything.. AT ALL!  But sometimes it’s not always the kids fault.  Many children believe that their parents/guardians just don’t care or believe in them, so they drop out because they’re lazy, they don’t have support, and believe that high school is no big deal. 

So parents and guardians need to start pushing their kids and enforcing some rules.  The problem is complicated and will be hard to fix, but it’s time for kids and parents to realizing you can’t just quit when things get hard.