Seniors at South Lakes High School who participate in spirit week are growing fewer. The increase in social media among youth may be to blame. The fear of expression is plaguing South Lakes High School students and discouraging them from dressing up.

Since the beginning of COVID, character costumes such as “The Lorax” and “Mr. Bombinski” have exploded in popularity. Social media has now deemed these costumes as “pretty girl humor” or “cringe,” discouraging students from dressing up in fear of judgment.

This results in a steady decline of individual student participation as fear of judgement and humiliation prevent students from participating. Some students report that fear of being caught in a social media story or post is what prevents them from participating.

Despite leadership’s efforts to make the themes more accessible with new additions such as frat/sorority or tropical day, social media posts tearing down school spirit sit in the back of student’s minds.

Although individual costumes are declining, the rise in group costumes is taking their place. Rather than participating alone, students find comfort in dressing up together in large groups. A sense of community is built when sharing social risk, dressing up together, sharing experiences, and strengthening the community. That is what makes South Lakes High School so unique.