Cherokee People, Cherokee Pride!

So if you think your high school had/has the most school spirit, you haven't seen Choctawhatchee High School's spirit!! Last year I was blown away at every home game pep rally, game, Homecoming, and Graduation! Being my first year last year, I expected something similar to my high school- we had amazing school spirit, dressed up during Homecoming, had class competitions, and cheered hard at all games. Well, it exceeded my expectations 1000%.

This year is Choctaw's 60th Anniversary of being the first high school in Fort Walton Beach. In 1952, it opened at what is now a local middle school, and in the mid- 60s it moved to it's present location. Apparently, this is a big deal! They celebrated the 50th in style as well and of course, had to outdo themselves this year.

One of the driver's ed cars that has been restored and sat at the school on Friday and drove in the parade.

All of last week, we dressed up each day in a different decade, starting with the 90s and working our way down to the 50s. I dressed up in 90s, 80s, 60s, and 50s (was gone during the 70s) and had a great time. (I didn't take pictures last week, sorry!). I think the funniest part of the decades is seeing how students these days interpret the past decades. They didn't really do 90s. 80s was all about tights, shorts over the tights, and workout great in neon colors. The 60s was tie dye to them. And then 50s was Grease Lightening and poodle skirts dress. Most of my students were born in the mid-90s, so of course they're interpretation is really funny.

 Our school had invited past alumni from every class to participate in Friday's festivities. I marched as a teacher in the parade before the game. It was really cool to see how many alumni showed up, especially those from the 50s and 60s. After the parade, the band proceeded in. They came in for about 10 minutes- both alumni and current students and they did a really cool pattern on the track. They just kept turning as the entire 300 members marched in.

Choctaw used to have a horse ride down the field before every game. When I got hired, I saw this on the website but had wondered why I never had seen it. Well, another teacher told me they stopped doing it a few years ago, but they decided to bring the tradition back. The Brave rides the horse down the entire field and throws his spear when he gets to midfield, and then he rides the entire length back. It was awesome to finally see it.

I think it is really neat that we are still the Running Indians. Before I went to Cumberland, they were the Indians but changed to the Patriots, probably because of all the controversy surrounding calling Native Americans, Indians. Choctaw fully celebrates the Choctawhatchee Indians' traditions- Indian prayer before every football game, dancing to Cherokee People at pep rallies, having an Indian Princess and Brave as our mascots... I just think it's so cool that we can keep these traditions going.

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Hope you've enjoyed a few pictures of our 60th Anniversary Celebration! Happy Sunday!