Students agree this year’s Midnight Madness was the best they’ve seen so far, a credit to the Spirit Week Committee’s decision to center the first glimpse of Colonial basketball on students and players rather than flashy sideshows.
This year’s show took on a new element, as some students report using the event as a release for school spirit or American patriotism. Others said it was a needed escape from the reality of an ongoing war.
Junior Shannon Tovin showed up to Friday’s even dressed as a sort of GW adaptation of the Statue of Liberty tribute. She wore a GW towel as a robe, painted her face blue and gold and spiked her hair like a crown. Tovin said this event was a nice distraction from events taking place around the world.
“I feel like we have to come together as students and unite no matter what ethnicity or religion or race we are,” Tovin said. “We just have to come together and be one with each other and support our school team.”
Junior Ben Stetler’s favorite act was Village People impersonator Christopher, who drew loud cheers with dances to classic tunes such as “YMCA.” Stetler said getting caught in the Madness was a needed escape.
“I think it distracted a lot of people,” Stetler said. “It was a good opportunity to get away and clear your head. I mean we’re so inundated with the media. I think it was a good opportunity to have fun in a way that keeps you away from the television and your mind off things.”
Some students said the atmosphere of the whole event improved from last year because it focused on basketball.
“I thought this year was better because there wasn’t so much side show,” junior Oren Shur said. “It got right to things.”
Last year, a fire juggler on stilts, indoor fireworks and dancers on Roller Blades drew a mixed reaction from the stands.
Midnight Madness invites back graduates to participate in the hype. Alumnus Steve Hadley (’94) said he enjoys coming because it only happens once a year. He echoed many students who said the pace of the show never slowed.
“This is the best Midnight I’ve seen,” Hadley said. “I’ve been to every one of them. There were more people, more activities. They worked in the bands better, they worked in the women’s team better and they recognized other sports.”
Senior Uche Haene said the event was better than last year. Living on the same floor as many members of the women’s basketball team helps her get more psyched for the upcoming season. She said she was happy to see all the spirit.
“The student morale is definitely low right now. So this should help hype the people up,” Haene said.
Students said they are skeptical about how well the men’s team will do this season but are excited to attend games and show their spirit for the Colonials.
“The energy of the crowd was good, but the men are lacking something, I don’t know if they have the oomph to go very far this year,” senior Tewavech Hailu said. “I think the women have a lot of potential and they’re going to be good.”
