Monday, Oct. 28 marked the first day of Communications High School’s (CHS) beloved autumn tradition: Fall Spirit Week. 

Senior and SGA President Phineaus Whedon of Wall Township commented on his love for the week of festivities.

“I just love Fall Spirit Week because it’s Halloween and it’s spooky and it’s going to be so fun,” he said.

Monday’s theme was “Anything But a Backpack”, prompting students to attend school with a creative way to store their books and laptops. From popcorn machines to 4-foot stockings, students took today’s theme very seriously.

Junior Shawn Retta of Keansburg admires his peers’ inventive takes on the theme. 

“You can see around the school there are some pretty innovative ideas,” he said. 

The activity for the day was the Hungry Hungry Hippo Race. Three students from each grade were divided into the corners of an arena set up in the cafeteria. The arena held a number of plastic balls and four buckets. One student from each team sat with their stomach on a scooter, one pulled and pushed the scootering student by their legs and the final student collected the balls from the scootering student’s basket and put them in their bucket. The first grade to fill up their bucket wins. 

After a brief but heated match, the seniors took the win, followed by the juniors, sophomores and freshmen (respectively). Although most found the game fun, some students on scooters felt differently, including Sophomore Madeline Fitzgerald of Long Branch.

“It was a little uncomfortable,” she said.

After the first day of events, the seniors took the lead. But with four days left and a minimal point gap, every grade has a chance of winning. 

Junior SGA council member, Shawn Ribeiro of West Long Branch, believes the leaderboard will continue to change throughout the week.

“It’s still anybody’s game at this point,” Ribeiro said. “And I’m very excited to see how the future of Spirit Week plays out.”