Class Color Day Overview

As part of Spirit Week, Class Color Day has always been a favorite for upperclassmen. This year, it was taken away from the students. The reasoning for it being canceled this year was reportedly due to bullying.

“If Class Color Day was just about being proud of your class, then there would be no issue, but there became a problem picking on them [underclassmen] because you were ‘better than them’.” said Principal Matthew Stark.

Class Color Day always lands on the Thursday before the homecoming dance. The senior class of 2014, and some juniors of 2015 vandalized not just the school, but actual city property as well. Selective students were suspended for three days, while others were notified that they were being fined.

Administration reports that, according to the UHS data, there is no hardcore, handwritten proof that Class Color Day causes bullying. Over the past years, there is no way to pinpoint referrals due to bullying. Since this is a common issue in today’s society, all bullying incidents should be recorded due to the fact that it will change how it will get handled.

“It’s not because of last years seniors, the reason it [Class Color Day] went away was the harassment over the years,” Stark added.

Yes, over the years tagging does happen. Tagging is getting the color highlighter of your class and marking on people. Seniors are blue, Juniors are red, Sophomores are yellow, and Freshmen are green. Some personally do not see that as bullying. Other issues of tagging have also been permanent damage to students clothing. Such as, spray paint, or permanent markers.

It has also been articulated that students miss school, or no not come to school because of Class Color Day. But, there is no proof as to why they did not come to school that day. Therefore, if students do not come to school on Class Color Day, it could be for any other reasoning than being fearful of getting bullied.

Assistant Principal Travis Courson said, “I believe Class Color Day was canceled because the negative outcomes weigh the positives,” he also added, “Homecoming is about being an Urbana Tiger. [It] doesn’t matter what class you’re in. Recently in the past few years we’ve lost sight in that. Especially on Class Color Day.”

When talking to some seniors they share their thoughts on Class Color Day.

“I think Class Color Day should be reopened due to the fact that it has been like this for many years and it has always been something we do as a school. On top of that, Class Color Day went well this year because we showed the principal that we can be adults about the changes and we are not just participating to tag the underclassmen or make them feel lower than they are.” said Senior Victoria Krysanski.

“I think it was more fun for us this year because we rebelled against Starks rules. Telling us no and taking it away is just going to make us do it 10x more,” said Junior Kimberly Brunelle. Also adding “Class Color Day has always been a day to show pride for your class and feel different. Not just feel like every other student in the school.”

Another student also added how they felt too.

“Class Color Day was awesome this year, because even though it was cancelled, as a student body we pulled together and represented our classes. Also, as the years go on, I plan to continue to see cool outfits and many others continuing out on the tradition.” said Sophomore Makayla Dulaney.

If all of the students who have stated their opinion about Class Color Day received their preference, we see that it would be reopened; everyone makes mistakes, but it takes the right groups of people and great school spirit to make it all come together.