Going for the Gnome

The race is on this spirit week, as juniors and seniors, yet again, compete for the coveted spirit gnome. The current holder of the gnome, crowned victor of Homecoming’s spirit week, is junior Karla Gomez. Gomez won the gnome last year in somewhat of an upset; some competitors feeling as if the award belongs to seniors.

“I think the Gnome going to the juniors was a good way to show the other grades that they still have a chance,” Gomez said.

This controversy has lived on, as juniors have starkly rejected the idea that they shouldn’t be allowed to win the gnome. 

“I feel like if they don’t want to show out, they don’t deserve it,” Adam Henn, junior, said. “The notion [that only seniors should get the gnome] only exists because seniors should be the most enthused, but if they don’t live up to that expectation, then it should go to the class that does.”

Regardless of controversy, students are surely showing out this week with their best apparel. All of the themes (minus color-by-grade day) are loosely connected to the Courtwarming theme of South Life on Deck. In fact, some participants are unhappy with the themes.

“The themes for the week are all the same, and I think they could have added different ideas for it throughout the week,” Ryan Chase, senior, said.

Three of the themes are revovle around beach or “cruise” attire, just with slight variations. This is yet another point of contention with this season’s race for the gnome.

“I think the themes should have been better. They should’t be so much alike that you could wear the same thing all three of the days and be considered for the gnome,” Emma Gillespie, junior. “They should definitely be more diverse.”