DALLAS – Varsity Brands, the leading organization that empowers young people by encouraging participation, recognizing achievement and building community and school spirit, announced today the launch of its 2018 Varsity Brands School Spirit Awards, kicking off on National School Spirit Day, a day recognizing the power of school spirit. National School Spirit Day, which this year falls on September 15th, marks the beginning of the third annual Varsity Brands School Spirit Awards, which celebrate the very best of America’s high schools with $100,000 in awards, including a $25,000 grand prize for America’s Most Spirited High School.
High schools are encouraged to participate in National School Spirit Day by hosting a pep rally, announcing this year’s award categories to their school and starting to create their video submissions for the America’s Most Spirited High School Contest.
“We’ve always believed that school spirit is absolutely essential to creating a culture of engagement and achievement in America’s schools, and the Varsity Brands School Spirit Awards are the foremost platform to recognize the most outstanding students, faculty, and administration across the country who are leading this charge in their schools every day,” said Jeff Webb, Chairman of Varsity Brands.
Adam Blumenfeld, CEO of Varsity Brands, added, “Our three businesses – BSN SPORTS, Varsity Spirit, and Herff Jones – allow us to be a true extracurricular partner for schools. In addition to offering customized products and programs for sports teams, cheer and dance teams, graduation, and yearbook, the Varsity Brands School Spirit Awards allow us to highlight the critical and positive impact spirit can have on schools and communities across the nation.”
The 2018 Varsity Brands School Spirit Awards will consist of 25 awards, which will include the following categories:
- America’s Most Spirited High School
- Most Spirited Athlete
- Most Spirited Team Manager
- Most Spirited Student
- Most Spirited Pep Band
- Most Spirited Choir
- Most Spirited Mascot
- Most Spirited Student Government
- Most Spirited Superintendent
- Most Spirited Principal
- Most Spirited Coach
- Most Spirited Athletic Director
- Most Spirited Teacher
- Most Spirited Athletic Trainer
- Most Spirited Staff Member
- Most Spirited School Counselor
- Most Spirited School Tradition
- Most Spirited Community Service Project
- Most Spirited Booster Club
- Most Spirited Yearbook
- Most Spirited Graduation
- Spirit of Inclusion Award
- Spirit of Sportsmanship Award
- The American Spirit Leader Award – Cheer
- The American Spirit Leader Award – Dance
Click HERE to learn more about the various awards. Entrants must be nominated by a student, colleague or community member, and submissions must include a 500-word essay outlining why the nominee is deserving of this award, one letter of recommendation, photos and other supporting materials demonstrating the nominee's work.
The $25,000 grand prize award, America’s Most Spirited High School, will honor one high school that demonstrates unparalleled school spirit and community pride. (Click HERE for submission details.)
Varsity Brands has conducted extensive research showing a direct connection between school spirit, community and school involvement, academic achievement and self-confidence. According to a Harris Poll and subsequent white paper published in 2014, 80% of high school principals believe that school spirit is a key measure of an effective school administration and 92% feel that school spirit is tied to student achievement.
To learn more about National School Spirit Day and the Varsity Brands School Spirit Awards, please visit varsitycorp.wpengine.com.
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