School spirit is often seen as the binding factor of a high school community, bringing students together through football games, pep rallies and themed events. At Lambert, the crimson and black pride has been a defining part of student life for years. However, as academic pressures rise and student priorities shift toward preparing themselves for higher education, many have begun to question whether school spirit is fading. Are students still as engaged in Lambert traditions, or has the weight of schoolwork and changing interests led to a decline in student morale?
For some students, school spirit is not fading—it’s simply evolving. Events like pep rallies continue to play a significant role in energizing the student body.
“I think our pep rallies have definitely gotten better over the years,” Lambert Student Council Spirit Ambassador and senior Linzi Huang said. “We’ve gotten significantly more engagement and reactions from the crowd, and it’s very refreshing to see.”
The excitement in the gym during pep rallies is undeniable. The loud cheers, performances and competitions between grade levels all create a sense of unity. Even students who might not usually engage in school spirit find themselves caught up in the excitement of the moment. However, this energy and enthusiasm doesn’t always translate to daily school routines, and many students (particularly younger students) find it very difficult to integrate Lambert into a core part of their identity.
There is a noticeable gap between how different grade levels participate in spirit events. Upperclassmen tend to be more involved, while underclassmen often struggle to connect with traditions.
“The upperclassmen definitely show more involvement in school activities than a lot of underclassmen, mostly because they’ve been at the school longer and are more informed about Lambert spirit events and traditions,” Spirit Ambassador and junior Nazeefa Loladia said. “I also think seniors in particular are very keen about being involved in as many events as possible because they have such a short time left at Lambert and they want to make the most out of it.”
The senior class, in particular, carries much of Lambert’s school spirit. For them, every event is one of the last they’ll experience before graduation, making each game, rally and spirit event more meaningful. Freshmen and sophomores, on the other hand, often find it harder to engage. Without prior exposure to traditions, it can be easy to feel disconnected from the school’s culture.
“Lambert as a whole definitely exudes a strong sense of pride and school spirit, but I don’t think it’s as prevalent in our grade.” freshman Mahathi Selva said. “I think this may be due to underclassmen not having access to social media and may not be as informed of school happenings.”
Without easy access to social media, underclassmen may find themselves disconnected from school events and activities. Despite this, the student council team makes a crucial effort to inform students and bring them together, regardless of grade level barriers.
Yet, there are several obstacles that continue to hinder school spirit. Even with exciting events and dedicated student leaders aiming to boost morale, Lambert students feel an intense amount of academic stress and pressure. Many students feel overwhelmed by the demands of AP courses, extracurricular activities and college preparation, leaving little time and energy to be a part of school events.
“For many students, their primary focus is academic achievement,” Huang stated. “Academics is very important, but at the same time, it is important for students to enjoy their time in high school and focus on building connections and memories. That’s what we try to do—taking students’ minds off of stressors.”
School spirit at Lambert is certainly present, but it is facing several challenges. There are moments of undeniable energy, especially among seniors and at major events, but a consistent divide exists between underclassmen and upperclassmen. The weight of academic stress has also shifted priorities, making it harder for students to fully embrace the traditions that once defined the ‘Lambert’ experience.
School spirit is not just about being present at a pep rally or wearing school colors on game days—it’s about feeling connected to the school community. It’s about having a sense of pride in the place where students spend four crucial years of their lives. If school spirit is to thrive, students need to find ways to balance academics with engagement, and Lambert must continue fostering an atmosphere where every student—regardless of grade level—feels like they belong.
