Professional athletes aim for the Stanley Cup or the Lombardi Trophy. As of this year, Mountaineers can now strive for the Class Cup.
Introduced in September, the Class Cup recognizes the combined efforts of students in each grade by awarding points during Spirit Week, the pep rally, and other schoolwide events throughout the year.
“I think it is pretty cool,” said junior Owen Brugman. “I think it is a different way to try and get everyone involved.”
Senior Zach Hoadley agreed.
“I like the friendly competition it creates,” said Hoadley. “It brings the school together while giving people something to play for.”
Math teacher and Student Council advisor Becky Moisan said the Class Cup is just getting started.
“We took the idea from other schools and wanted to make it flashy. We went out to find the biggest trophy we could in hopes that it would inspire kids to involve themselves in school spirit more than they had in past years,” said Moisan. “The Class Cup was revealed at the fall pep rally, and points are awarded throughout the year during other Spirit Weeks and events until the winner is announced at the spring pep rally.”
Assistant Principal Lori Stattenfield said she loves the effort and ideas of Student Council.
“I love when the school can come together and have these great moments,” said Stattenfield. “They [Student Council] are under new leadership, and they are very busy, but they continue to come up with new ideas.”
Stattenfield also said new ideas take time to develop.
“Typically, it takes three years before an idea can be considered good or bad,” said Stattenfield. “After three years of the Class Cup, it will be easier to tell if it worked or not.”
Sophomore Colin Carlson agreed.
“I think over time this idea will be good,” said Carlson.
But other students said they do not see the incentive in the Class Cup.
“There’s no real reason for me to go out of my way to get the Cup,” said senior Jude Hogan. “I appreciate the efforts of StuCo, but I don’t think it makes much of a difference.”
Some students also said they were mostly unaware of the Class Cup.
“I don’t even know who is winning the cup or anything about it most of the time,” said Brugman.
Junior Elsie Montgomery agreed.
“I didn’t even know the Class Cup was a thing,” said Montgomery.
Moisan said it has impacted people more than they know.
“When the idea was first pitched last year, many juniors at the time—now seniors—said it wouldn’t change how they participated,” said Moisan. “But now the seniors have been the most spirited. So if the idea doesn’t become a hit in the future, at least it had an initial impact on a whole class of students, and that is our main purpose.”
NOTE: As of the publication of this article the Seniors have won this inaugural competition.
