Time to again show off your school spirit.
The Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) welcomes all member schools to participate in the 2020-2021 Sunshine State Spirit Showdown — a schoolwide competition designed to promote good sportsmanship and school spirit. It was created in 2013, with the idea of the school community to come as one “to create something exciting and unique.”
The deadline to submit entries will be Feb. 1.
Criteria for submissions have changed slightly this year due to COVID-19 protocols that some schools are following.
There will be two separate category winners this year to accommodate game attendance limitations, restrictions on crowds and gatherings, physical and distance learning, and so on.
The first category will be for schools who have no restrictions or changes due to COVID-19. These are schools that still allow full game attendance, student sections, pep rallies and more.
The second category will be for schools who have had to alter their typical protocols. These are schools that have limitations on game attendance and may not have student sections at all, do not allow pep rallies or large gatherings, and have students who are distance learning and unable to physically be in attendance.
Schools must submit a video that is 90 seconds to three minutes in length. The video must contain a 30-second part on boosting school morale in creative ways, and encouraging positivity and strength through these difficult times; content must be appropriate; and it must be uploaded onto FHSAA’s YouTube channel.
Judging will come from FHSAA’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and social media fan voting.
Videos will be ranked based on the following categories: positive emphasis, spirit, originality, creativity and organization, and student body and community participation while still focusing on safety.
Winners of each category will be announced March 9. A plaque and banner will be presented to each winning school.
Past winners of the contest include Clay (Green Cove Springs), Fort Walton Beach, River Ridge (New Port Richey), Choctawhatchee (Fort Walton Beach), Lake Howell (Winter Park), and Atlantic Coast high schools.
Visit tinyurl.com/yxfnmelp for more information about the Sunshine State Spirit Showdown.
