Keeping AIS Spirit Alive

Waves of blue and gold pride washed over campus recently as the community celebrated a much anticipated Spirit Week.

While our typical AIS/EA Day traditions were not possible this fall, there was no shortage of excitement as students, faculty, and staff jumped into themed dress days, class competitions, service projects, and more.

Lower schoolers began their week of fun with "Mighty Girl Monday" themed dress, as teachers shared stories about their favorite mighty girl figure. The division collected more than 500 pounds of food for the all-school food drive, and raised enough money during Friday’s Blue & Gold Bake Sale to provide 28 meals for frontline workers, courtesy of Drexelbrook Catering. They even learned a few (virtual) cheers from seniors, including AIS favorite “I Believe That We Will Win.”

In the Middle School, students started their week with cartoons — as a themed dress day, that is! They also collected more than 750 non-perishable items for the all-school drive, and joined their Upper School friends in writing 180 letters and cards to frontline workers in the Main Line Health system — a project coordinated by alumna Caitlin Petrakis ’11.

Good-natured competition filled the Upper School as students took to Phelps and Carter fields and went toe-to-toe for class tournaments. From Monday’s kickball game, to Tuesday relay races, to Friday’s dodgeball, dance, and wing-eating contests, there was no shortage of competitive spirit — with the Class of 2022 taking home first place for the week’s events. Wednesday’s rainy forecast shifted the festivities indoors, where students created more than 100 encouraging cards and messages for those leading the fight against COVID-19. In addition, the Upper School donated nearly 400 items to the all-school food drive.