In the heart of the Cape Ann League, otherwise referred to as the CAL, school rivalries are more than just games. It’s an environment where students give their all, and crowds roar with excitement. Each match, race, and game is not necessarily about winning, but rather about a race and competition of pride and passion. 

In the small towns of the CAL, students often have friends and interact with students from other schools, whether this be through sports or work. This close-knit community makes the passion and spirit of school rivalries even more intense and competitive. 

Determining which school has the most school spirit in the Cape Ann League can be subjective, as each school has its own unique traditions and enthusiastic supporters. 

As most students have recognized, in recent years, it seems that Newburyport has been dominating when it comes to school spirit. Their energy and enthusiasm at events have really set them apart from other schools. Pentucket Middle-High School’s Principal, Brenda Erhardt, believes they have “More student and parent support.” 

Similarly, Triton senior William Hight said “[Newburyport] has the best school spirit and their students are very involved with their school sports, extracurricular activities, and other events.”

Amesbury senior Ruby Edmond added, “Our school [Amesbury] is more of a positive environment and has a positive outcome compared to other schools in the CAL… However, I think Newburyport is the most spirited in the CAL because of how many championships they win and how they truly bring their athleticism and dedication each year.”

However, Tessa Neumann, a junior at Pentucket suggested that “Newburyport is the biggest town within the CAL and it is usually the first thing to come to people’s mind, especially because they are so dominant in all of their sports, so schools like Amesbury, and Pentucket get overlooked in terms of school spirit.” 

And she’s not the only one to voice this opinion.

Amesbury senior Jordan Roig said, “Amesbury is usually overlooked, however, I believe that our school spirit, passion, and dedication makes us the most spirited school in the CAL.”

Pentucket Spirit

So what can we do here at Pentucket to increase not only spirit but participation at games and other events to get the same recognition other schools in our community do?

A Pentucket senior suggested, “Smoke bombs at football games.”

Pentucket junior Katherine Wisniewski suggested: “Getting more kids to come to sports games.”

Pentucket senior Brady Jennings added: “Promoting games more, try and change some sporting events to nighttime so that students will not miss a practice they have, and can then go to the games.”

A Pentucket sophomore suggested, “[We] should have more pep rallies and more fun days throughout the year like what we do during spirit week.”

Pentucket junior Julia Bleichfield added, “I think pep rallies would get people’s attention for sure, but also making Spirit Week more interesting could help as well.”

A senior added, “I feel we should have more pep rallies and also different themes for the dress-up days during spirit week because it’s always the same every year and it gets boring.”

Other students suggested:

• Tailgate parties
• Banner-making
• Fan buses
• Offering incentives
• Parental Involvement

Pentucket Principal Mrs. Erhardt is willing and interested in expanding opportunities for students, but she noted: “It all starts with student interest and organization.”

Ultimately, it is up to the Pentucket students to showcase their spirit and make a difference within the CAL.