One of the most exciting weeks of the year is just around the corner. Dallas College Spirit Week will be held from Oct. 28 to Nov. 1 across all seven campuses, and everyone is invited to join the festivities. This celebration promises to be a week full of energy and opportunities for students to connect, show their school pride and enjoy unique activities at each campus.
The planning of these events was inspired by similar activities at universities and high schools with the goal of boosting the sense of belonging within the student community and making more students feel connected to their campus. By encouraging participation and school spirit, organizers hope that the week will become an annual tradition that grows in popularity year after year.
There will be a variety of events at Richland and other campuses for everyone to enjoy. Jonathan White, one of the coordinators of the Student Life & Engagement department, said, “We expect to see great participation this year. We have prepared amazing events for everyone, from themed activities to opportunities for students to connect and have fun together. We want every student to feel that they are part of a vibrant and united community.”
Dara Eason, also a coordinator of the department, added that Spirit Week is designed to “Bring students together and combat apathy, especially after midterms. We want everyone to feel excited and connected, ready to enjoy the second half of the semester with renewed energy. Additionally, it’s an opportunity to showcase the talent, creativity, and enthusiasm of our student community.”
The Space Lunch Party is probably the most exciting one. Organizers have planned a big welcome party with 3D-reality experiences, an LED dance floor, a silent disco, 360 photo booths, food, contests and lots of fun. Additionally, there will be transportation from Richland to the Eastfield campus to make participation easier for everyone. This event aligns with the space theme of the new Dallas College Student Program with the same name, highlighting innovation and professional development through event planning, budget management and marketing. Students are expected to get inspired by the sci-fi and space theme, with outfits that make them feel like part of this space adventure. Rumor has it that Eastfield students plan to dress as aliens.
Likewise, Spirit Week will be full of fun across all campuses, with both joint events and specific ones at each location. At Richland, the week will kick off on Oct. 28 with a space themed day. There will be crazy hat days, pajama days, Halloween costumes and more. On Nov. 1, the week will culminate with Pack the Gyms, an initiative to support the start of the basketball season on Nov. 1, encouraging everyone to wear school colors and show their sports spirit.
Among other highlighted events, there will be several fall fests at different campuses, including a Halloween-themed one at Richland, Cedar Valley and Mountain View. Additionally, club carnivals will be organized by different clubs to show their activities and engage the student community.
The organizers have made an effort to ensure that the week will be a fun experience. Eason said that this Spirit Week is not only about celebrating school spirit but also about offering a break in the middle of the semester. “It’s the perfect time to recharge, connect with other students and just have fun. We hope that every student feels like part of this incredible community,” she said.
Overall, the goal of the week is to unite all campuses, boost enthusiasm and morale and combat apathy as the end of the semester approaches. Organizers hope that Spirit Week will be an unforgettable experience that leaves all students feeling more connected to each other and to their college. Additionally, this is just the first of many, as there are plans to expand and improve Spirit Week in the coming years as part of a long-term plan to strengthen student life.
