High school football isn’t just about touchdowns and Friday night lights-it’s also about the creative themes that unite the student body. From Pink Out for Breast Cancer Awareness Month to USA night, these themes go beyond costumes, creating a sense of unity and school pride in the stands. Friday nights at Plant are more than fun dress-up nights; they allow students to participate in the action and make the stands look lively.
There are several themes including- USA Night, Hawaiian Night, Black and Gold, and many students’ favorite, Pink Out. This theme allows students to stand for awareness of breast cancer, and students appreciate that the school dedicates a whole game to supporting this. It feels meaningful to know that we were not only wearing pink for the fun of it but also raising awareness.
Another popular theme is Camo Night, which brings an energetic and bold atmosphere to the sands. Students love how exciting the crowd can get and how we unite and cheer on the football team to victory.
When it comes to football themes, they matter more than people realize. They are not seen for what they are and how impactful they are. These themes allow us to express ourselves and, most importantly, show us the meaning of being brought in as a community.
Belle Iarossi, 11, said that her favorite football theme last year was the United States themed night (USA).
“The feeling during the game felt different because the patriotism is strong and the energy is always hype,” stated Iarossi. “It makes the student section look united, and the sense of pride makes the surroundings even more exciting.”
That shows the powerful effect these football games have on us; they do not just make the games more fun; they give everyone the chance to connect. For some, it’s about expressing themselves through colorful outfits or painting their faces. For others, it supports essential causes like raising awareness of breast cancer. Sometimes, it can also simply unite the community in a sea of school spirit.
Stella Griggs, 12, says that her favorite football theme in the past has been blackout because it was for the homecoming game.
“This year, my favorite theme that we are doing is Country vs Country Club for the Berkeley game because many students have been requesting it for years, so I’m glad we are finally doing it.” As a part of the Gold Rush Board, Griggs says, “To come up with the themes, we usually have social media make a story or post on Instagram, letting people suggest theme ideas, and the executive board goes through the themes and tries to match them to certain games. After we put our theme proposal together, we send it to the administration for approval, and they tell us which themes are approved, and which aren’t. This year, we hope that more freshmen are included in Gold Rush because we like the idea of everyone at plant feeling included.”
As the football season continues, students look forward to more creative themes that unite the school. Pink Out does that exactly, and Camo does it in its own way. Whether through colorful outfits or supporting a meaningful cause, these moments remind us that school spirit is about more than just cheering- it’s about everyone showing up, coming together, and making memories that last long after the season ends.
What is your favorite football theme?
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