Showdown is one of the most exciting times of the year for most students, and brings the competition to another level. Each grade goes all out to prove their school spirit, and one of the key events of the week is Class Banner Day. On Tuesday, students from every grade came together to create a banner inspired by their assigned mascot, tying it into the overall theme of Showdown. Throughout the day, students collaborated on sketching, painting, and perfecting their designs before the final deadline at the end of the 9th period. This year, the banners showcased creativity, teamwork, and school pride.
The Senior class, whose character was Homer Simpson, won first place in the banner contest. Their banner was a nostalgic piece that featured all of their past Showdown mascots alongside Homer Simpson, and included these past mascots crushing the other grades’ mascots for this year. When asked about the process, one senior shared that they started with a rough sketch early in the morning, allowing others to confidently paint later in the day. At times, as many as 10-12 people were working on it at once. The design itself was a blend of memories and competition, capturing both their history and their motivation to win. The seniors expressed pride in their final product, despite the stress of time management, and they especially loved the excitement of the final period when all the grades gathered to see the banners come to life.
The Junior’s banner displayed the Genie, their class character, coming out of the magic lamp. On the right hand side, the tiger-like creature from the Cave of Wonders scares the rest of the grades’ mascots. In the center is their slogan, “Wish Big, Win Bigger”. Juniors later shared that the best part of the day was the final reveal and seeing the crowd admire the result of their hard work. The Sophomore’s class banner showcased Lightning McQueen, their mascot, skidding on a road neighboring the mascots of the other grades. The Freshman’s banner featured a detailed drawing of the Hulk towering over a city with large bubbles of onomatopoeia surrounding it as the other grades’ mascots reacted in shock. Lastly, the 8th grade banner had penguins to the left and the other mascots cowering in fear.
The Class Banner event is a way for students to come together, collaborate, and show pride in their grade. Whether it’s the seniors using nostalgia to secure a win or the 8th graders making their Showdown debut, each grade puts their heart into their banner. The process of working under pressure, making last-minute decisions, and celebrating the final product is what makes the event so special. As Showdown continues, the banners continue to be an exciting event and a symbol of creativity!
