“I believe that we will win! I believe that we will win!” Spirit leaders lead this contagious cheer in the student section every game. This year, the student section has been larger than it has ever been in St. Andrew’s history. In the past three home volleyball games, students have packed the student section and certainly dressed the part. They have rocked their boots and cowboy hats for the Western theme, traveled back in time to the 1980s for the Rock and Roll theme, and showed off their love for America for the USA theme. “My favorite memory from the student section so far was the MRA volleyball game when so much of the school showed up to the game and supported the volleyball team in the big game,” Senior Blake Bell said. “It was certainly one of the largest student sections I have ever seen at St. Andrew’s.” 

The student section has also shown their support for the football team. Dressed in goggles, swim trunks, and snorkeling gear for the pool party theme, the Saints cheered their football team on against West Lincoln. “The first football game was incredible. Anne Avery Lunsford, one of our Spirit Leaders said. “The entire spirit section was engaged, and we were all cheering loudly for our team.” Football players have also noted the dramatic increase in school participation. “The student section at football games has been super enthusiastic during the games which has really helped the football team want to play harder and for our peers. Friend Walker, the Team Captain, said. “I love to be able to score or win for these people to give them something to celebrate, and their constant encouragement both in losses and wins is really something special that I treasure.” 

With this dramatic increase in school spirit, there have also been some challenges along the way. At the first volleyball game, students ran into trouble with MSHSAA and their indoor sports rules when they brought a megaphone to cheer. St. Andrew’s school administrators got involved and precluded this behavior for the future. Similarly, at the first home football game, students brought water guns and beach balls to hype up the crowd for the Pool Party theme. Quickly, the inflatable beach balls found their way to the field and the water guns became an annoyance for the parents close by. The props were quickly confiscated by the school.

But even with these minor hiccups, the student section has been more active than ever. All of the students are excited about this new and increased school spirit, and they hope it will continue throughout the year. Walker adds,  “I think the main thing with school spirit is it can only happen with exemplary leadership from the upper grades, dressing out in theme and getting excited about opportunities to show school spirit.”