With catchy tunes blaring, golden decorations adorning the halls, and spirit gear fashioned at every corner, Niles North is in the thick of its 2016 Homecoming spirit week. Leading up to the pep assembly in the transformed gym on Sept. 16, excitement runs rampant as freshmen anticipate their first spirit stick competition and seniors await the glorious Homecoming Royalty reveal. Regardless of how many pep assemblies you’ve attended, here are some tips to ensure the best experience to date!

Dress to impress. 

This year, every class has its own color theme for spirit wear. The class with the most spirit fashion gets bonus points toward the spirit stick, so make sure to don appropriate gear and create an eye-catching wave of color.

“Showing school spirit is most easily visible through confidently sporting your grade’s color. By decking yourself out in your designated color, you show pride and unity. Go crazy with it! Party City has fantastic gear to get you into school spirit,” Spencer Schwartz, senior, said.

The spirit gear colors are as follows:

• Freshmen: white
• Sophomores: grey
• Juniors: purple
• Seniors: black

Put on your war paint (regular paint works too) or bring necklaces and glow sticks to show the other classes you mean business.

Go chant war crazy. 

When the hosts or performances aren’t the center of attention, start catchy chants and push other classes to also participate. Be original when making new chants by adding hand motions or attention-grabbing sounds!

Create a positive atmosphere. 

It is vital for each individual to be mindful of the announcers, peers, and other classes to exemplify the traits of unity Niles North represents. Three years ago, there was an incident where the freshmen were told to “go home” in a chant started by another class.

“I felt rejected and disheartened because the class I looked up to told me I wasn’t good enough at my very first pep assembly. It wasn’t the best first experience I could have had,” Sadia Ahmed, junior, said. Show your class pride, but do not drag your peers down in the process. Remember that all the students and teachers have gathered to make the best of the time.

Don’t get caught up in the competition. 

Although the spirit stick and Homecoming Royalty reveal are competitive components, the goal of the assembly is to celebrate the start of a new year and anticipate the upcoming successes of the staff and student body. Show your class pride, but celebrate the talents of all our skillful peers.

Jive to the beat. 

Show off your mad dancing skills! Sing aloud, clap along, and let your feet move to the rhythm. This will also serve as great practice for the dance moves to be debuted at the Homecoming dance on Saturday, Sept. 17.

Respect. 

This is just as easy as it sounds. Stay quiet when the announcers are speaking and encourage the teams and clubs displaying their talents. Cheer when appropriate and don’t make your peers feel ashamed for their enthusiasm or lack of participation. Everyone deserves to enjoy the assembly in a comfortable manner.

Be hype! 

Essential to pep assemblies is to show enthusiasm for being part of the NN family. It is even encouraged to be loud and let loose after the first long weeks of the year.

“It’s better to be into the spirit of things and let it be fun rather than act cool by ridiculing those who are into the festive mood,” Lily Shearer, senior, said. If you’re not feeling particularly spiritive, make sure to be accepting of others trying to immerse themselves in the popping atmosphere.

Be you!

Don’t be concerned about how you appear to others when you’re living the experience. Stay in your element, whether that be raising the roof or silently participating. Pep assemblies are meant to be an enjoyable break from studies and are to be embraced in a personal way.

Remember that we are one! 

The point of pep assemblies is to bring the school together as a whole and display the talents of individuals working as one.

“My favorite part of pep assemblies is the communal excitement and energy created in the gym. It feels like a buzzing, vibrating entity and makes the overall experience way better,” Juliana Tichota, senior, said.

Make sure to bring your school spirit and pride to the Homecoming pep assembly on Friday!

Featured Image credits to North Star News images.