Stripteases, kegs, class skits, and post-game dances are just a few past OHS traditions that have been lost over time and their ripples still resonate today.
As changes in social dynamics appear, past traditions may not be as socially acceptable as they once were. For example, the unusual tradition from the past involved a male football player performing a striptease during the Homecoming assembly. Even though this tradition has been abandoned, Principal Matthew Grant says “I’ve had more alumni come back and say, ‘Well, we need to do that again,’” to which he replies “There’s no way that’s going to happen.”
The Homecoming assembly also used to feature class skits to showcase student creativity and camaraderie. Class skits eventually grew inappropriate, leading to their discontinuation “sometime around the late 90s to the early 2000s,” remembers teacher and OHS alumni Ryan Gerrits, “But man, they used to be so fun and funny!”
Post-game dances were traditional celebrations after sporting events, open to all students according to Gerrits, but they have also faded away for no apparent reason. These dances provided a unique opportunity for students to come together and celebrate our school’s achievements in a fun and informal way.
A long-lasting tradition that continues to be displayed prominently on everything from mugs to sweatshirts, is the Olympia logo in the Olympia Brewing Company font. “Around 2000 it was very popular and I remember one person getting really mad at me. Then I thought: oh yeah, I guess that is that font, and they thought there was kind of a beer reference,” reflects Grant. The use of this logo has sparked controversy in the past but is now an integral part of the OHS image.
Aside from the use of the OBC font “[The Olympia Brewing Company] is where your parents worked a lot of the time,” and, “There was a lot of pride in the work that was done there.” One of the many prime examples of this is how “cheerleaders used to stand on kegs at the ball games.” //needs source, maybe cut down on direct quotage
As Class of 2019 OHS grad, Dawson Haworth //can’t use this source cites, a significant and continuous tradition that may not be recognized is how the administration and Grant are always bringing the values of pride, courage, and tradition to the forefront. It’s a torch that has been carried since the founding of Olympia High School over a century ago.
Traditions are an integral part of any school’s identity. While some beloved traditions have been left behind, and OHS continues to evolve, it has and will continue to create new traditions that reflect the spirit and values of the students and faculty that call it home.
