Spirit Week has long been a cherished tradition at North High, starting off the school year with a burst of excitement and unity. Each Sept., students look forward to a week of themed days that transform the hallways into a showcase of creativity and pride. More than just a dress-up activity, Spirit Week is designed to bring the community together, ease the transition into the year and build momentum leading up to the pep rally.

This year was no different. Wednesday was marked as Twin Day, a highly anticipated theme of the week. The premise was simple: dress in matching outfits with a friend or group. But in practice, this tradition became a way to connect with peers, show personality and celebrate being part of the school.

“Twin Day helped me form friendships with other students who are a part of the community,” senior Leila Ghatani said. “I got the opportunity to twin with Elliot [Kane], a newfound friend.”

The day saw an impressive range of creativity. Some friends opted for classic matching shirts and jeans, while others leaned into full-on costumes or inside jokes. Even larger friend groups joined in, navigating the challenge of blending different styles into one coordinated look.

“Although it was difficult for my whole friend group to agree on a similar outfit since we had differing styles, I’m glad we eventually figured it out,” junior Alice Yang said.

Teachers were no exception to the fun. Part of the math department, Mr. Turkovich and Mr. Lipani matched outfits, giving students a chance to see their teachers’ ingenious sides. Faculty participation added to the sense of community and showed that school spirit extends beyond students.

“Twin Day was enjoyable for me because it provided an outlet for me to connect with my friends during the busy school year and it was exciting to see other people matching,” junior Jolene Fu said.

Despite the amusement, Twin Day also carried competitive weight. Spirit Week feeds directly into the annual Battle of the Classes, a tradition where each grade competes to earn points based on participation in themed days. Every matching outfit contributes to a grade’s total score, encouraging students to not only dress up for fun, but also to help their grade gain a lead.

For students, this added layer made the day even more meaningful. Twin Day was about celebrating connections and showing creativity, and it also gave everyone a chance to contribute to a shared goal. When the week concluded, the points from Twin Day were added to the tally, inching each grade closer to the big reveal.

Spirit Week at North High has always been about more than themed clothing. It’s a reminder that school pride comes alive when students and teachers engage together. Whether it be through forming new friendships, collaborating with a group, or competing for class points, Twin Day proved once again why the tradition remains one of the highlights of the school year.