Is Taft Spirit Gone? Colors and Super Sunday Prove Otherwise

With the new school year buzzing with fresh faces, shifting routines, and an unmistakable energy, one age-old question lingers for both new and returning Rhinos: will school spirit thrive?

So much of what makes Taft special is its community, the connections we build with one another, the sense that we’re part of something larger than ourselves. Spirit is central to that experience. Traditionally, the opening weekend, with home games, Colors, and Super Sunday, has set the tone for the year ahead. This fall, though, the schedule looked a little different, with some of those revered traditions pushed later into September. Yet, if this past weekend is any indication, the year ahead promises to be one filled with energy, excitement, and, most importantly, a revived spirit.

Saturday afternoon offered the perfect kickoff, with a lineup of home games that had the sidelines buzzing. Boys’ Varsity Soccer pulled off a clean sweep against Brunswick, Girls’ Varsity Soccer battled down to the final whistle, and Volleyball secured a milestone victory, its first win over Andover in seven years. For players and fans alike, it was a moment to celebrate. But just as unforgettable as the action on the field and court was the Red Sweater Club, back in full force. Led this year by James Hagberg ’26 and Joe McBride ’26, the red-clad crew brought chants, cheers, and unrelenting energy to every game. Whether storming the court after Volleyball’s win or shouting encouragement until the buzzer at soccer, they reminded us how powerful a student section can be; one chant at a time, they’re helping keep Taft traditions alive.

As the afternoon excitement gave way to nightfall, the energy didn’t let up; it just shifted indoors. Colors, one of Taft’s most iconic dances, transformed the dining hall into a neon explosion. Freshmen upheld the long-standing tradition of wearing black, while the rest of the campus lit up the space in every shade of neon imaginable. For the first time in four years, the dance was held indoors, and the return did not disappoint. The night began with a flood of students rushing in, and as the music pulsed, the energy became almost tangible. By the time students spilled out of Laube into the night, sweaty but smiling, it was clear Colors had delivered exactly what the community needed: a moment to let loose, to laugh, and to be together.

Sunday wrapped up the weekend with one of Taft’s most beloved traditions: Super Sunday. Few events capture the essence of Taft spirit like the chaos of paint flying in every direction, covering classmates until everyone is unrecognizable. What starts as a battle of colors ends as something more unifying, a reminder that, underneath it all, we’re one community. The momentum carried into the other events, with highlights like the Crisco slide, tug-of-war, and egg toss creating a perfect mix of competition and camaraderie. By the end of the day, the laughter was as loud as the chants had been the day before.

And then, as the paint dried and students headed back to their dorms, the weekend slowly gave way to normal routines. Classes resumed, schedules settled back in, but something felt different. The spirit that Tafties brought to the weekend: the chants that didn’t die down, the willingness to dress up for a dance, the joy of standing shoulder to shoulder with classmates, contributed to a larger amalgamation of the school community. This weekend helped prove that when the community shows up together, the Taft experience is richer, louder, and better for it.

So, to return to the question: will school spirit flourish this year? If last weekend is any forecast of what’s to come, the answer is clear. Spirit isn’t just alive, it’s thriving.