With collaborative efforts at the lead, Monarchs celebrated their second online School Spirit Week last September 20-24, 2021 as 21 student-led clubs from Basic Ed and International Baccalaureate (IB) united to create digital activities commemorating school pride on social media and Zoom.
The completely virtual event was part of the larger School Spirit Celebration from September 20 to October 12 and coincided with Southville International School and Colleges’ (SISC) 31st Foundation Anniversary. The different academic clubs held games, gimmicks, and contests that focused on embracing the SISC community on Facebook, Instagram, and Zoom while COVID-19 restrictions persist. New and old student organizations worked together in keeping school spirit alive online through school-wide activities or club-exclusive projects. Project Manager and Red Cross Youth - SISC (RCY-SISC) President Hitomi Ninomiya mentions, “It was quite challenging since we don't have the officers for the Student Council just yet. However . . . various clubs joined together, and were able to come up with ideas and collaborate with one another throughout the [celebration]!”
“I truly believe in the spirit of camaraderie and inclusion, [like the saying] ‘By the Students, For the Students.’ The student body was well-represented,“ says Student Affairs Head for K12 & IB Ms. Cindy Jurado, who mentored the group of club officers that planned the celebratory week. She adds, “Spirit Week was organized by the SISC and IB student-led clubs officers to signify inclusion and belongingness that will give the students an opportunity to get involved.” Southville’s very first online Spirit Week happened September 21-25 of last year, and it was spearheaded by the SISC Model United Nations (MUN) Club and the Kindness Project.
By the students
“We don't really have [a venue] to gather around . . . [but I] personally think this assembly prepared by a lot of different clubs will be a great kickstarter for us to celebrate the School Spirit Week,” says Zia Huh, another Project Manager and SISC Debate Club Director of Operations. On Monday and Tuesday morning for Junior High School (JHS) and Senior High School (SHS) respectively, a diverse band of volunteer emcees took the stage following the regular assembly routines. With their greetings, the school-wide program officially kicked off. Basic Ed Principal Dr. Marie Vic “Avic” Suarez gave her opening remarks on SISC’s origins, growth, and 5Cs.
"You are a Monarch; you will cling to your school because we are here to help you. We are your champions. We are going to do our best to equip you with the 5Cs so that you will become the movers of society with hearts of service," emphasizes Dr. Avic. "My dear Monarchs, I am very proud to be in Southville . . . Be proud of your school. Let us have that kind of school pride."
Hwang Yi Lynn from 10-Commitment has this to say about Dr. Avic’s remarks: “[They were] really inspiring. Her related story with the 5Cs was interesting as well as motivational."
The Battle of the Teams soon followed; strands and batches were divided into competing groups that played in fun games with the top 3 winning teams guaranteed to participate in a students’ raffle draw. First was a Kahoot game on geography. Charlle Saclag from 12-Initiative (STEM) says it was an exciting and great experience, while 8-Integrity student Juan Alfonso Lobien describes the atmosphere as “fun, loud, and dynamic.”
SHS Second-placer Geon “Eric” Kim from 10-Commitment says, "Although I got some questions wrong, I believe that it was a great opportunity for me to learn more about facts I never knew.”
Following that was a Jeopardy-style game called “Jeoparty,” where students tested their knowledge on the ins and outs of SISC. Bianca Calma from 11-Innovation (ABM) shares, “I just recently transferred to Southville this year so I didn’t know much about the school, but with my fellow classmates, it turned out to be really compelling and exciting.”
In between these events, intermission numbers were performed by the Glee Club and SISC’s ACTS Manila ballerinas. Shane Climacosa from 11-Efficiency (HUMSS) mentions regarding the former, "I thought that the Glee Club's performance was really impressive, especially because they're singing alone and then edited together. The mixing was incredibly well done!"
Closing off the assembly were birthday messages for SISC’s 31st coming from some of the school’s international alumni and staff.SGEN Director of Communications Daniel Steel says, “What a tremendous honor [it is to recognize] Southville's relentless commitment to excellence."
For the students
The event was not at all limited to the assemblies. Monarchs on Facebook were encouraged to join the Display Picture Blast prepared by Dessin de Mode and the SISC English Club. Zia explains that it gives a sense of bonding and common ground. Mulan Sugiarto from 11-Excellence (STEM) joined it as she "would like to spread the information of this year’s School Spirit Celebration, and let [Monarchs know] that this week will be full of activities.”
From Tuesday until Friday, Mufti Days were held where students dressed in SISC-themed attires: purple, green, and royalty. Hwang Yi Lynn says, “There are not many things that I can do unlike the usual Spirit Week, so I thought mufti is one of the best ways I can engage in this event."
A letter-writing activity titled “Love, Monarchs” gave Monarchs a timely chance to show their gratitude towards the school and its staff. V Mokhtar from 12-Diplomacy (HUMSS) shares that she thought that "it was a nice reflection for myself! Aside from that I also thought about the teachers and how much I appreciate what they do."
The Mover created a Southville-themed “This or That” interactive story and meme contest called “Meme Wednesday” through its Instagram account. Keith Alamon from 10-Commitment, who joined the latter, says, “It felt really nice being able to poke fun at some niche Southville things, and it was very fun having an activity that's accessible to all."
Individual club games and activities were also in motion. The SISC English Club members wrote one-liners about pre-COVID experiences used for blackout poetry. The Junior Meridiem Thespian Society (JMTS) had scriptwriting and poster-making contests, and JMTS Director Marti Pinca from 8-Integrity refers to the events of the whole week as an engaging experience. The Monarch’s Gambit hosted a grand chess tournament. Club Secretary Jeremiah Rivera from 10-Commitment mentions, “It was a good experience, especially considering online restraints.“
SISC Environmental Fine Arts and Media (EFAM) members made artworks and videos that reminisced on face-to-face school life. Meanwhile, the SISC Physimatics Club held a quiz bee on the school’s history. Club Founder from IB1 Neel Sharma says about the whole week, “[It] was exciting to look forward to, not only because it is during an online set-up but also because of the new club dynamics introduced in Southville ranging from interests to academics.”
Various more activities will be carried out until Spirit Celebration’s end on October 12. All these were done as a stand-in for the pre-pandemic in-campus activities. For new clubs, these were some of their first initiatives for the academic year. The third Project Manager and Dessin de Mode President Minhee “Michelle” Kim shares, “All of our students were able to join the activities released since Monday. . . . Even in IB, we were able to feel the spirit of Southville by joining the activities prepared by the club officers."
For another Spirit Week done digitally, the school clubs received a positive reception from the students. Amanda Sophie Hernandez from 8-Integrity appreciates the pride celebrated calls it a great show of creativity. Breanna “Bree” Baja from the same class comments, “To be honest, this year's Spirit Week exceeded my expectations. The people who planned it really took advantage of what was available.”
Seorin Park from 9-Compassion realized the bond she grew with the school more and thought the club officers prepared will for this. 10-Responsibility student Javier Roxas comments, “Even if I didn't participate much this School Spirit Week, this program is a way for all of us to have fun. Even though it's quarantine, I'm thankful that they didn't stop doing it." Ms. Cindy concludes, “I am so grateful and proud of our student officers as they not only excel in the four corners of the classroom, I mean screen, but also reflect genuine leadership and true service to the student body. Truly amazing Monarchs!”
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