Waldoboro — School Spirit Week at Medomak Valley High School kicked off on Sept. 17 with the first dress up day of the year — Purple Day. Taking the lead from the girls’ varsity soccer team, students and staff wore purple to raise awareness for cystic fibrosis, all types of cancer, and domestic violence.

Organized by PAWS, Peers Assisting With Sincerity, the week leading up to Homecoming Weekend is filled with class competitions aimed at celebrating school spirit. Classes earn participation points throughout the week in a variety of activities, with the prize of a $100 donation into the winning class’s account. This year a new competition of collecting spare change in all homerooms to be donated to local food pantries was added to spread some community spirit. The school-wide goal $500 in spare change, if met, will provide much-needed assistance to the local food pantries that make up the five towns of School Administrative District 40.

After Monday’s colorful start, the theme day of Sept. 18 was Decades Day; Sept. 19 included the always anticipated Twin Day Parade in the gym; Sept. 20 is Costume Day, with hall decorating after school; and Friday, Blue & Gold Day, ending the week with a Pep Rally in the gym. Points are also awarded to the class who can sing the school song, "Go, Medomak!” the loudest and with the most school spirit, and a Class Float Parade ended the week.