“O-R-I-O-L-E-S” is a common phrase heard in Park sporting events’ student sections this fall. Students pack the stands with Park pride to cheer on their friends and classmates against rival schools. High school sports have a strong tradition in America, from small towns to big cities and everywhere in between. Alumni, students and staff always want their school to be successful. Students fill the stands, often with a fun theme, ready to chant and cheer.
Football games see the largest turnouts in student support, creating a one-of-a-kind environment for the players on the field. Senior Tony Kruse said students coming to support games brings the team’s spirits up.
“It helps bring us energy and helps lift our spirits during the game,” Kruse said.
The student section not only affects the players but students in the bleachers feel affected too. Senior Nolan Crump said the student section helps him connect with more students.
“Everyone comes together to yell the chants out, and it becomes team-oriented to work together to win the game,” Crump said. “(The student section) gets the whole student body hyped up and makes the team play a better game.”
The student section is unique to high school events, where most students come together with the same goal. Junior Jacob Balcos said he is used to being in the student section with everyone supporting Park.
“It builds community,” Balcos said. “It’s fun because of how interactive the student section is with the game that’s going on.”
Kruse said that at his away games, the away student section can have an effect on their teams performance.
“It makes it way harder, in a way, because they are cheering against you,” Kruse said. “It affects the mental part of the game.”
According to Balcos, the student section is important for the highschool sports tradition.
“If you’re playing with a student section as an athlete, it really makes you want to try harder,” Balcos said.
The student section is a key factor to the result of a game, and the tradition lives on in Park.
