Let's Make 1889 Truly a Spirit Week!

            To me, the history and tradition behind Converse College are what makes it so beautiful. I have never in my life toured a school that talked about so many traditions. On the first day I officially visited was for a scholarship contest, and they were giving walking tours of the campus. Even though I grew up on this campus, I was still curious. On this tour they talked up all of the thousands of traditions this place carries out every year. Among these were peppermint ball, founder’s day, Big Sis/ Lil Sis week, and of course 1889 week. The tour guide made this week sound like a blast, like our spirit weeks in high school but much more fun and involved. But to be honest. I was slightly disappointed. I expected this week to be insane and filled with social activities around the clock. Even Dr. Vaneman said the week would be crazy and to be prepared to decide what social events to attend. Turns out, I had no problem at all prioritizing my time because there was really nothing to do. I expected the school to be completely decorated like it was for Big Sis/ Lil Sis week. (I actually felt more pride during that week). I figured 1889 week would be so much bigger.
So, I am suggesting that 1889 week actually live up to its hype. The school should be ten times more decorated than it was for Big Sis/ Lil Sis week. Along with the other class competitions, I think that each class should decorate a part of campus, as well as their banners. I can imagine streamers and chalk everywhere and classes up in the middle of the night to decorate in secret.
I also think that 1889 week should have theme days, with class competitions of who had the best costumes for each day, which would be added in to the final tally. The theme days could be anything, dress up like a valkary, dress up like to match your twin from Big Sis/ Lil Sis week, and so on. There are endless possibilities to the themes and the fun. Each theme day could also have an event that went along with it, either at lunch, dinner, or later in the evening to bring all members of the college together. For example, on twin day we could hold three legged races for each set of twin, with one or two groups representing each class, and the winners get points, or just having a movie showing on the quad each night. Also, the dance at the end could use a little renovation. Having the event off campus makes it difficult to attend or even find the dance. I know I had a hard time. Perhaps next year the dance should be in a more accessible location.
1889 week is about class competition, fundraising, and service, but ultimately about bringing the school together for some collegiate fun. Having little to nothing to do during this week makes it, frankly, a dud. I’m suggesting that we should add a little pizzazz to 1889 and accomplish that goal. Adding social events each day, rather than on the weekend, will help 1889 live up to its reputation and will be a lot more to look forward to.