Winter weather couldn’t cool off the inferno of school pride that erupted in the Middle School on Monday. The second annual Middle School Winter Classic stormed into the south gym with games, music, and hype that set the tone for the Middle School athletic contests between MICDS and John Burroughs held in the MAC later that afternoon. The eighth grade Rams Connect Committee organized the event and was assisted by Callie Bambenek, Middle School Science Teacher, Nick Menneke, Middle School PE Teacher, and Alison Todd, Director of Middle School Athletics.
While the event certainly builds school spirit, it is also having the intended effect at sporting events. “Our cheering sections at our basketball games more than tripled from last year,” says Menneke. “A couple of eighth graders came to me last week and asked if they could have their own student section for cheering. I agreed in less than a second.” The example set by the older students has a ripple effect throughout the school. “Being proud of your school and your role in it is always intentional,” says Bambenek. “When our younger middle school grades see our eighth-grade leadership team be vocal about school spirit, it becomes infectious.”
As part of the festivities students dressed in a “whiteout” theme all day. “Seeing students and faculty participate fostered a sense of belonging and pride. It encouraged student engagement, strengthened connections, and made the event more exciting,” says Menneke. “The shared experience boosted morale and reinforced school unity.” Bambenek was glad students took the idea and made it a reality. “The best part of the ‘whiteout’ was that it was student-generated,” she says. “Our middle school students see these themes at varsity athletic events and are always excited when they get the chance to have them in their space.”
Dr. Nick Miller, Middle School English Teacher, emceed this year’s event. “As a first-time emcee for the pep rally, I was blown away by the energy and enthusiasm our students brought to the Winter Classic,” he says. “Seeing them cheer loudly for their peers and teachers was truly rewarding and a perfect reflection of the strong, supportive community we have at MICDS.” The opportunity to come together in community and celebrate was the result of hard work on the students’ part. “The key to these student-centered events is that they are actually student-centered: this means students plan, students create, students invite faculty, students set up and take down, students feel supported, and students celebrate,” says Bambenek. Menneke agrees, “I would like to thank the eighth graders on the Rams Connect Committee for putting on an amazing assembly. They are the backbone of this event.”
Cecilia Mileusnic ’29 is a member of the Rams Connect Committee and feels the same way about the success of the Spring Classic. “I really enjoyed seeing all of the Middle School Community come together to have such a great time! I also found joy in seeing all of the plans we worked hard to create come to life!”
As the weather heats up, so will the competition—so, be on the look out for the Middle School Spring Classic!
