Spartan, Big Red Country, Red Tide, Spartan Pride, O. These are just some of the terms my basketball coach, Mr. Terlecsky, would use during season when expressing his effervescent love for our school. This year Mr.Terlecsky is my AP Literature teacher. Analyzing existential angst while spending my last months at Ocean Township High School, I often catch myself reflecting on my high school career. I ask questions such as, “Do I have Spartan Pride?”, “Have I contributed to my school?” and “Am I a true Spartan?”.
During my first two years in OTHS, the majority of the student body lacked school spirit. The characteristic coupled with sense of cheesiness and conformity; barely anyone attended school events. Slowly, events like dances were being ousted due to the lack of interest and/or disorderly conduct. This change unfortunately caused the students that did have spirit to lose hope.
In truth, I was one of the students who didn’t have love for our school, and I believed Spartan Pride was a thing of the past, like something you’d see in a vintage movie. Talking to other students from other schools I discovered the flaw of my perception. I wanted change.
As a junior, my first initiative was by running for Student Council; if Obama did it, so can I. I debated to become a candidate before, but a teacher said it was a popularity contest; the idea was pushed out of my mind until now. Surprisingly, I was elected. I was ecstatic.
Soon, other council members and I started to bring back these “vintage” school events. One change I made specifically was instigating Spirit Week when each day has a theme like Hat Day. And for all the boisterous students we brought back the “Battle of the Classes”. Even the complainers can now vent out at our monthly open forums or “vent in” at the suggestion box.
Being senior year, the momentum from junior year brought on an almost overwhelming amount of responsibility. Keeping the school at a progressive pace is harder than I anticipated. But as I ask myself the same questions from before I can answer them with a yes. I once feared failure, but now I only fear missed opportunities. All my efforts have produced exceedingly rewarding outcomes; all I really wished was to give my underclassmen a chance for a memorable and fun experience in Big Red Country.
Earlier this year I was regretting that I never went to a football game in which we won; our team was never very successful. So I attended one game. Most of it was slow-paced, having too many running plays, but during over-time our running back, Greg, made a great move for a 30-yard winning touchdown. The crowd burst like wild-fire and stormed the field. I took off my red shirt running and whipped it above my head chanting our name “Ocean” with the utmost pride in my voice. My high school dream finally became a reality.
This scholarship is sponsored by CenturyLinkQuote.com.
