After years of quieter crowds at games and a dip in energy around campus traditions, Miami Palmetto Senior High’s student council is working to revive school spirit to its full potential.
Daniel “Danny” Mazer, a senior at MPSH and the Student Council President, expressed how boosting spirit was central to his campaign. He noticed how the pandemic left many students feeling disconnected from school life and wanted to use his role to rebuild that sense of pride.
“Ever since COVID, school spirit’s been on the low, but I really wanted to revive it,” Mazer said. “I want to restore it to what it once was — the great Palmetto school spirit.”
One of the Student Council’s first steps was to require elected members to attend athletic events, a decision that was designed to set the tone for the rest of the student body.
“When people are going, they’re likely to bring a friend,” Mazer said, “At the beginning, it may be a little like we’re forcing them, but it’ll turn out to be for the better.”
Thus far, the approach appears effective. The Panthers’ football game against Christopher Columbus High School drew hundreds of students, which Mazer considered one of the largest fan turnouts in MPSH’s recent years.
While attendance at games has been a major focus, the council is also reaching out to students online.
Yaar Dotan Fuchs, a senior at MPSH and the Student Council Marketing Director, explained how social media has become a powerful tool to connect students with events.
“You have to stay updated with social media, so it’s very important that our social media stays updated and everyone’s checking it,” Fuchs said.
Fuchs’ goal is to make the school’s posts more engaging. One recent campaign used a collage of phone screens, each with different apps, to reveal that homecoming tickets were on sale.
“It is more fun for everyone,” Fuchs said. “[We get the] best responses when we show students or teachers people recognize … it is more human, more interactive and not just a blank post.”
Behind the scenes, Student Council leaders rely on strong partnerships to ensure events are executed to the level that they were promoted.
Sadhna Seunarne, the Assistant Activities Director at MPSH, helps coordinate major school events from homecoming to Panther Prowl. She believes that collaboration with teachers, clubs and student leaders is what makes these events successful.
“Our main goal is to make the school an awesome place, and when we work together, it becomes even more special,” Seunarne said.
Seunarne added that Panther Prowl captures the essence of MPSH pride, bringing together students from all grade levels in friendly competition.
“Everyone gets involved with their class, they have a cause, and they want to win,” Seunarne said.
Looking ahead, Mazer said students should expect homecoming week to include interactive activities and surprises. For him, spirit is more than themed events or loud cheers — it is about creating an environment where students feel connected to their school.
“High school can be hard for some kids,” Mazer said. “But if you make the most of it and make sure kids feel at home, they’re much more likely to participate.”
As Student Council continues brainstorming events for the year, leaders continue to focus on the idea that the goal is not just to pack the stands or rack up likes on social media. It is to rebuild pride and tradition that unite students beyond any single event.
