Campus Culture Returning to Normal
School spirit has come back in full force after the brief pause during COVID.
October 6, 2022
Students are swarming the halls of Gunnison High School (GHS) heading into the new school year — the first in two years without masks, replaced with renewed school spirit and enthusiasm. While students have been able to keep attending school in-person during most of the pandemic, many have missed out on events, games and traditions that other generations were able to experience.
Principal and GHS alum, Jim Woytek, remains optimistic for the 2022-23 school year.
“So much of the stress surrounding COVID is behind us,” Woytek said. “The energy from students and staff is really great. It’s almost this cautious optimism that we’re getting into what we all want GHS to be.”
At the start of the pandemic, spectators were either limited or not allowed at sporting events, and events such as homecoming and pep assemblies were canceled. This year, school spirit is rising once more.
“I think a lot of it has to do with covid,” Woytek said. “We had to do the things we did, like not having crowds at games or assemblies, and that might be what I’m most excited for, the return of these big events.”
Already this year, GHS has had two home Friday night light football games, both packed to the brim with a rowdy crowd cheering on their cowboys from the bullpen. GHS student body president and senior, Cooper Keating led the bullpen in cheers alongside her fellow class, encouraging the cowboys to keep up the energy.
“I have had a lot of firsts at GHS and even though it is emotional, I am excited for all of the lasts,” Keating continued, “Already this year I have seen so much more participation and school spirit from all classes in comparison to the last few.” Keating, along with the rest of the student council, have been busy at work planning this year’s homecoming events which will be taking place next week.
“This has been the best start to any school year that I’ve had since starting as principal,” Woytek said. “I am more excited for this year than I have been for a school year in a long time. A lot of it has to do with our student body.”
