The 2024 Red/White Week themes were announced on the Executive Council’s (EC) Instagram page on Oct. 7. Students had the opportunity to vote for their favorite themes in mid September. Despite over 1,000 students casting their vote, many students feel unsatisfied with the selected themes.
The themes are as follows: Pajama Day (Monday), Senior Citizens Day (Tuesday), Costume Day (Wednesday), Doomsday (Thursday) and Red White Spirit Day (Friday).
RedEye created a poll to gauge Manual students’ reaction to the themes. Respondents had the opportunity to leave a comment with their thoughts after filling out the form and were asked to leave their name if they were comfortable being quoted.
As of Oct. 22, 110 Manual students had responded to the poll. A majority of respondents, 67%, said that at least one of the themes they voted for was selected. Despite this, a whopping 83% reported feeling unsatisfied with the chosen themes. This discrepancy can be explained by the 44% who said they were unhappy with the options to choose from to begin with.
“I don’t hate the themes, but just thinking about what could have been, I just think there were better options. I’m a little disappointed,” Reagan Miller-Grooms (11, J&C) said.
Many poll commentators shared a common complaint: since Manual’s dress code does not prohibit pajamas, students can wear pajamas to school on normal school days, making Pajama Day an unexciting theme.
“I think they’re astoundingly boring. It’s really nothing special. Like Pajama Day? You can wear pajamas any day you want,” Lily Zuklich (10, VA) said, “And senior citizens, like whatever. They’re kind of meh.”
While many objected to Pajama Day, some liked having simple and versatile themes this year. Some themes require students to purchase clothes or costumes, a hassle that can be avoided with themes such as Pajama Day, which involve clothes most students already have.
“They’re good themes, they’re very general. It’s good for everyone, everyone has stuff to do with them,” Siddhi Rajbut (11, MST) said.
Some comments were critical of the Executive Council’s decisions, while others acknowledged their hard work.
“I am dissatisfied with the Pajama Day theme, considering I think we can wear that every day, but the student body voted for it,” Anthony Northington (12, HSU) said, “Even though I’m in Executive Council, even though I dislike the themes, a vote is a vote. Join EC if you want more of a say.”
“We solicited theme ideas from students in Executive Council and the greater student body through social media. We then consolidated similar ideas and removed proposals that were either too complicated, not approved by admin, or not inclusive. Then they went out to the school,” Aaron Morris (Math) said in a statement to RedEye.
Some students lamented that this year’s themes aren’t as interesting as last year’s themes. Last year’s list featured themes such as Rhyme Without Reason and Barbenheimer.
“Those were so fun. I like those a lot more than this year. Like they were more creative, this year is just not as creative,” Mia Williams (10, VA) said.
“Last year we had Rhyme Without Reason and stuff like that, and that was fun,” Zuklich said.
Despite the themes, students are still excited for the Red/White Week traditions.
“I’m always a big fan of doing Doomsday, just because I love looking dark and gloomy. You know, it’s a fun excuse to be a little more goth for once,” Miller-Grooms said.
