Tracy High students and faculty came together during the second week of February to celebrate Hoopla and the 110th anniversary of the town’s oldest school. To commemorate this milestone, the school participated in themed spirit days that not only acknowledged Tracy High’s birthday but also built anticipation for the basketball game against their rival school, West High. 

Having started in 2014, Hoopla may not be quite as old as Brutus, but it quickly became a tradition amongst Tracy High to honor the winter sports. 

Associated Student Body Treasurer Valentina Cooksey explained the importance of the week.

“Hoopla is basically Homecoming for basketball,” Cooksey states. “It’s special because it brings back the vibes of the beginning of the school year.”

The celebration of Hoopla is not as simple as it may appear, Cooksey described. The class has to work together to create excitement for the rally as well as the basketball game. 

“Honestly, it’s a whole class effort,” she said. “The classes have to focus on their individual student sections and all the parts for the rally.” 

This year’s Hoopla theme was Anniversary and Birthday in honor of the school’s mascot, Brutus the Bulldog, who turned 110 this year. 

“Me and ASB came together for the theme and our president Jake Hallen reminded us that it was the

110th anniversary of Tracy High,” said Cooksey. “We then came together as a class and voted on the days’ themes.” 

Every day that week, the bulldogs took on a different persona. Tuesday, they had to choose between being a Nerd or a Jock. 

To follow a recent trends, on Wednesday Tracy High was sent back to the year 2016. For some students, it looked as if they came out of a time machine. Especially for junior Dayana Perez-Huerta.

“My outfits were inspired by Pinterest and Tumblr,” said Perez-Huerta. “I felt like a 2016 soccer mom!” 

Perez-Huerta explained how there was more to her throwback outfit, as by dressing up, she felt more included in Tracy High.

“I want to be involved with the school,” she began. “The spirit days are a nice way to have fun, I like seeing everyone be creative with their outfits and do different things.” 

For Thursday, each class was assigned a different generation. Seniors were elders, juniors were teenagers, sophomores were toddlers and freshmen were babies. 

On the final day of Hoopla, students and the school were illuminated by bright colors for neon day that shown brightly during the annual Black Light Rally. 

Senior Isabella Hernandez expressed her excitement for this day as it happen

ed to be her favorite spirit day of the week. Her excitement made a bittersweet combination when mixed with the fact that it was her last year at Tracy High.

“I’m kind of sad, but also happy at the same time because I got to live through all of this and I’m excited to move on,” admitted Hernandez. “But it’s sad leaving behind all of the fun, quirky spirit days because I don’t think we get to do this in college.” 

Despite the classes competing throughout the week, trying to be the most spirited or fighting to win the Hoopla Rally games, Hernandez noted how each event brings the school closer together. 

“High school is like a little family unit,” she described. “At the end of the day, we’re all Bulldogs!”