High Hopes, Higher Spirits: Bellaire’s 2023 Spirit Week

As the summer-dewed oak buds morph to maroon-brown leaves, so too has the students' greenness of the school year settled into a more balanced routine. Despite the changing seasons, new curriculum and mounting pressures that may have thrown many cardinals out of the nest, tradition triumphs with Bellaire High’s annual Spirit Week. Five different themes from October 16th to 20th brought these student fledglings an attractive opportunity to express themselves while also diffusing the anticipation leading up to Bellaire’s Homecoming. 

Mondays are that weird Uncle at barbecues who comments on how tall you are, always has food in his hand, and assigns you a multi-page essay due the next day. So when students got the chance to spice up their mon-dane routine with Anything But a Backpack Day, they showed up with buckets, carriers, cases and bindles. One eccentric student even brought a fully stocked microwave to class. 

Senior Broderick Droste cooks up a saucy idea for Anything But a Backpack Day, displaying his microwave carry-on. (Photo: Bellaire Student Council).

Tuesday ushered in clothing changes with Dress As Your Type Day asking students to mimic what they found most endearing. Ideas varied from those who showed their type with sharpie mustaches to 'red flags' in crimson clothing. Junior Kasen Burris-Richardson was one of the many students who took on the challenge. "Dress as Your Type was my favorite because I got to look extremely buff. My 'drip' was my girlfriend Gabriella's clothing. It was a tank top and some ripped jeans, and I wore my shoes that matched the outfit,” Burris-Richardson said. 

Second Photo: Giving his best flex to the camera, junior Kasen Burris-Richardson models his stylish Dress as Your Type Day outfit. (Photo: Bellaire Student Council).

Wednesday brought a sea of pink and black down Bellaire’s main street, with Barbenheimer Day creating classrooms of professional suits amalgamated with swirls of hot pink attire. Even teachers participated with fashionable finesse, with English teacher Jenny Ho detailing her take on the cultural phenomenon turned school event. “I dressed up as a flight attendant Barbie, so I tried to do a vintage flight attendant outfit that was pink," Ho said. "I have Quinn Cavanaugh in my class and he dressed up as Ken from the Barbie movie. He had painted his roller skates to match his whole outfit. It was just awesome. Every time I looked at him he was smiling overly big and super excited and I couldn’t teach because I kept looking at him and laughing."

Standing proud with his neon roller skates, sophomore Quinn Cavanaugh radiates positive energy on Barbenheimer Day in his vibrant garb. (Photo: Saanvi Sadana).

Thursday winded down the week with laid-back oversized shorts and plain polos for Adam Sandler Day. Whether it was Happy Gilmore polos or comfortable baggy tees, this eccentric theme was easily accessible to everyone. Sophomore Ella Callaci was a particularly big fan of the day, rocking out with her classic off-set Sandler style. "My favorite day was probably Adam Sandler Day. I had a nice Hawaiian shirt on with some gym shorts, neon green shoes, a hat and sunglasses. I took it all from my dad’s closet.” Callaci said. 

Sophomores (from left) Ella Callaci and Ellie Zacharia give their most enthusiastic poses with their mellow wear and slick shades on Adam Sandler Day. (Photo: Brayden Nguyen).

Friday wrapped up the week with Red and White Day, a long-established tradition that represented Bellaire's core colors and closed out this fantastical week. So as the fringe red curtains dropped from the balconies, swaying with the eminence of Homecoming, another week of hustle and bustle at Bellaire Senior High came to a close.