Under the dazzling stadium lights, the air buzzed with anticipation as the loudspeakers blasted upbeat music and the band began to play an energetic anthem. The football players took their positions on the field, and the fourth quarter continued with a rush of energy. At the heart of the audience, the Grizz Nation leaders, all dressed on theme and in spiritwear, led the crowd’s chants of support.
Each year, the previous Grizz Nation leaders appoint the next generation of Grizz Nation leaders to lead the upcoming school year’s student body. The leaders attend the football games, rallies and school events in order to show school spirit and inspire the student section to become more energetic and enthusiastic.
Chloe Mezoui, a senior at Granite Bay High School, was chosen to be a Grizz Nation leader this school year. In addition to being a Grizz Nation leader, she plays Varsity water polo and encourages others to join in and cheer during their home games. Mezoui aims to make the school more inclusive, diverse and connected.
“It’s our high school year. We want to spend it with our best and overall effort, because we’re not going to get these times again. So I just feel like being the most involved is something you should cherish,” Mezoui said.
Mezoui suggests that students should “just show up at events” and “start small.” By dipping their feet in the water, students can begin to feel more spirited as they become more involved with the school.
Following Mezoui’s emphasis on getting involved, Niko Bannai, a senior at GBHS, emphasizes the need for comradery and involvement in order for students to support each other and build community.
“I feel like that’s kind of what the school is based on, camaraderie within the students. You want to make (everyone) feel at home, somewhere that everyone’s comfortable. That’s exactly the point of showing up at games and just being supportive of each other,” Bannai said.
In the past few years, there was a noticeable lack of enthusiasm at dances and football games, resulting in less people eager to participate in school activities and spirit in general.
Bannai explains that the Grizz Nation leaders’ primary focus this year is to make “those things fun again.” He emphasizes that everyone should fully commit to their parts, step out of their comfort zones and meet new people to “just try things out.”
“I mean, without school spirit, it’s not really fun. You want to go to games. You want everyone to be hyped and excited to be there. Even as a player, you want to know that your school is there, cheering you on, supporting you. So I feel like that’s super important,” Mia Rusello, a senior and a Grizz Nation leader, said.
To fix the school spirit dilemma, Rusello suggests that Grizz Nation needs to make some changes and continue “spicing things up” for events. By using more creative themes and activities for school dances and sports events, she believes she will see a huge difference in the school’s spirit. She hopes that the Grizz Nation leaders “will leave the school year better than it was” before.
“I just really want the next generation of leaders and the classes below us to kind of see, ‘Oh my gosh. They really made an impact on the school, made it better and got everyone involved,’” Rusello said. “There needs to be definitely more school spirit. And how it was like before COVID, everyone was so excited to be there, and I just hope to keep that going.”
