Spirit week and homecoming are some of the most exciting times of the year at Santaluces. From the creative outfits to the themed hallways and the unforgettable dance, the week seems full of fun but behind the scenes, the Student Government Association (SGA) spends weeks planning, organizing, and problem-solving to make it all happen.
This year’s theme, Chiefs Under the Sea, came together through a mix of creativity and teamwork. SGA President Keishana (Kiki) Louis, a senior, explained how the theme was chosen. “The SGA committee, SSS—Student Spirit Staff–first comes up with a list of ideas, and then the class votes on what they presented to us,” she said. “Our top three choices go on Instagram for the student body to vote on the theme. The three options this year were Chiefs in the Moonlight, Chiefs Upon a Star, and of course, Chiefs Under the Sea.”
As president, Kiki shared how the team made sure everything ran smoothly. “We really came together as a team to make homecoming week successful,” she said. “We divided up responsibilities early on so everything wouldn’t fall on just one person. It was fun seeing everything finally come together and watching all our hard work pay off with such a beautiful and memorable homecoming.”
Taylor Hilleman, an 11th grader and SGA vice president, said the process wasn’t always easy but was definitely worth it. “It was very stressful; a lot of time, money, and effort goes into it,” Taylor said. “I really loved seeing everyone’s outfits for spirit week and the dance. They were all so creative and looked amazing.”
Of course, there were a few behind-the-scenes issues. “We went way over our budget and had to keep running to the store to get more supplies,” Taylor laughed. “At one point, we dropped all the centerpieces and the shattered glass and Orbeez went everywhere. Luckily, we remade them in time and were able to laugh about it in the end.”
For Stacy Pierre Louis, a junior and SGA secretary, joining the organization has been a chance to grow and get involved. “What inspired me to join SGA was that I wanted to make more friends and get out of my shell,” she said. “I was very quiet and shy when I was a freshman, but joining made me more comfortable in a new environment.”
Stacy is also part of the SSS committee. “Each member of our committee thinks of at least two ideas for a spirit day,” she explained. “Then, we narrow them down and get them approved by our principal before we start promoting the week.”
“Even though the work can be hectic,” Stacy said, “it’s all worth it in the end. SGA can be very chaotic and stressful behind the scenes, but watching it all come together and seeing students enjoy what we created makes it all worth it.”
SGA after the homecoming dance. (Kerryana Jean-Louis)
Behind every decorated hallway and themed dress-up day are students working tirelessly to bring spirit and excitement to the campus. Thanks to SGA’s dedication and teamwork, spirit week and homecoming continue to be some of the most memorable traditions at Santaluces.
