[ot-caption title=”The Class of 2015’s Class Board poses with the spirit stick after winning it for the third-straight year.” url=”https://pcpawprint.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/3peat.jpg”]

About a year ago, whispers filled the hallowed Pine Crest halls about the Class of 2015’s spirit stick victory; throughout the time between last year’s homecoming and this year’s homecoming, there was growing excitement about the Class of 2015’s opportunity to “three-peat.” While there was optimism, there was also some skepticism about the same class winning three years in a row.

Junior Jarryd Rauch stated, “When the Class of 2015 won for the second year in a row, I did not think it would be possible for them to win again.” But the Class of 2015 utilized this momentum to become the first class in Pine Crest’s recent history to win the spirit stick for the third year in a row. 

As many students know, the spirit stick is won by a compilation of spirit points, earned through a series of homecoming activities like the Powderpuff game and halftime dance, sidewalk chalk art, hallway decorations, and much more. But the scoring system is not as transparent as many students would hope, as they were only informed of the spirit point totals from various PCTV broadcasts throughout the week.

Many underclassmen including sophomore Ben Brody have complained about the spirit point system, stating, “There should be a running tally in which administration is in charge of assigning points for each completion. It is annoying that there was an illusion of a real competition when the point system was not clear.” The random decimals across the scoreboard further led students to question the legitimacy of the point distribution process. Sophomore Alec Gugel expressed his concern, stating,  “I think [the spirit stick] was rigged.”

However, the Class of 2015 attests that it was a fair game and a worthy victory. Senior Class Vice President Isabelle Lumb explained, “The seniors’ participation in the community service based activities really helped us.”  The seniors won first place in the Magazine Drive, which awarded them 100 spirit points. Additionally, the seniors brought in 537 cans, helping them to win Canstruction.

“Another big part of our threepeat was the powderpuff halftime dance.  The boys were always amazing and always got the entire grade pumped up,” explained Senior Class President, Siobhan Boroian. Both the Class of 2015 Powderpuff team and halftime dancers began practicing weeks in advance. In fact,  the powderpuff team held tryouts over a month before the competition. “These girls have been bred for this moment since they were six months of age,” Senior Powderpuff coach Justin Stolzenberg confessed. “They prospered as we left them out in the wild to fend for themselves. They have been training since for the big game and they did not disappoint,” he continued. Many seniors were nervous for the game because of the number of talented female athletes in the Class of 2016. Coach Stolzenberg added, “We won because our girls’ pure hearts and determination out-willed the juniors pure athleticism.”

The Class of 2015 displayed its talents not only in the athletics but in the arts. The unsung heroes of the senior class during homecoming are the artists. Many seniors spent countless hours painting posters, which helped the seniors win spirit points. junior Jenna Wittich stated, “I was so impressed with the senior posters. They were incredible.”

The senior class’ concoction of athletes, artists, and leaders blended together to make history. Homecoming is always a special time each year because the different cliques drop their borders and come together to achieve one united goal.  The Class of 2015’s legacy and spirit will never be forgotten within the Pine Crest community.