Spirit Week! SAA Spirit in Action

St. Agnes Academy has a long and rich tradition of school spirit dating back to the 1800s. What began as a Gym Exhibition to build community and highlight student achievements, eventually grew into an elaborate all school Gym Festival featuring themed costumes and dances. Class performances were judged, and awards were presented for best dances by grade school, junior high and high school.

In the late 1960s the festival transitioned into what we now know as our Upper School Spirit Week. Through a series of theme days, class skits, class songs, class banners, and other activities, each grade level earns points to determine a Spirit Week winner. This year’s winners were our Seniors! Congratulations to the Class of 2026! (pictured at the top)

Pep Club sponsor and Sophomore Class sponsor, Mrs. Carley Bergdoll (‘07) gave us some insight into the Spirit Week planning process. She explained, “It takes months to plan and coordinate such an important tradition here at SAA. As the sophomore lead sponsor, we start talking about spirit week themes very early in the year. I might even get approached by the Spirit Week Coordinators on the 1st day of school!”

She added, “As the year goes on, we meet and talk about different themes, who might be chosen to represent the class as “Miss Spirit”, and the roles of the different committees. From the first time I meet with the Spirit Week Coordinators in October until the end of February, it's all about what needs to be done for each class to be successful.”

As an alumna, the experience for Mrs. Bergdoll is incredibly special.

 “It means the absolute world to me that I get to experience and be a part of the tradition of Spirit Week here at St. Agnes as an educator,” she said. “I remember like it was yesterday-being up in the hallways helping with locker decorations, painting the banner, or helping with the skit. I remember how much time and effort it took to make sure everything was perfect for our class which, is the same experience I have as being the Pep Club Sponsor. I want to make sure every day of Spirit Week is fun and memorable for these girls like it was for me.”

It is a thrill for the alumnae Skit Day judges and anyone watching to see all four classes come together on the last day of Spirit Week, showing us all what SAA spirit and sisterhood looks like in action!