Last week, Dons celebrated Rivalry Week by participating in spirit days, leading up to their game against Foothill. Every year, leadership creates fun and engaging themes for students to showcase their spirit, with this year’s rivalry week focusing on opposing themes like BBQ Dads and Soccer Moms.
Spirit Week
“Seeing the kids all dressed up and enjoying themselves is great—they’re commenting on their outfits instead of worrying about school, which is a good balance,” said AV Teacher Mrs. Henriquez.
One beloved aspect of school spirit days is their simplicity and relatability, especially during Rivalry Week. Days like “Converse vs. Vans” pit popular shoe brands against each other, encouraging participation from everyone. Leadership carefully considers feedback to make sure these themes are inclusive.
“We brought students and teachers to our first town hall meeting and asked them what they wanted from spirit days,” said AV Leadership Advisor Mrs. Connelly. “The rivalry committee takes that feedback and chooses themes that they believe will generate the most spirit.”
Unity Throughout Amador
Returning from COVID has made it challenging to rebuild school spirit. The Leadership class is determined to bring more involvement from the crowd.
“High schools, including Amador, have seen a dip in school spirit over the past few years,” said Leadership Member Zara Nesar (’26). “Rivalry Week, especially with the competition against Foothill, helps unify the school and makes us feel like one community.”
Rivalry Week holds a special place in every Don’s heart. It’s not just about winning the game, but about boosting school spirit. Each event is an opportunity to support the team in this decades-long rivalry.
“When I started teaching at Amador back in 2003, one of the things I loved most was how much spirit everyone had—from the teachers to the students. It was such a fun place to be,” said Connelly.
