Have you ever seen a bunch of guys walking around the halls with their heads shaved and became worried our school was in the midst of a lice outbreak? Don’t worry, it’s just the boys swim team. Although this may seem odd, it is a tradition that is said to help them swim faster at their Conference and Sectional meet. Their tradition may be the most extreme, but it is certainly not the only one that exists at Lincoln-Way Central.
Most students use their clothing and their backpacks to express themselves and what’s important to them. Wrestlers show their dedication to their sport by putting pins on their backpacks to represent the matches they have won. Although these pins might attract curiosity from other students, they each tell a story about a hard-earned victory for the wrestler that received it. So, next time you see a person with a backpack full of pins walking around school, make sure to congratulate them on their accomplishments.
Music has a way of bringing people together and making them all feel something collectively. The girls’ gymnastics team uses this to their advantage when preparing for meets. Gymnast Marissa Lacny expressed that before they compete, the team finds a space where they can listen to music and take their minds off the nerves of competing. She believes this led to the sisterhood and comfort that was created in the team this year and ultimately helped them have a truly historic season.
The Rhythm Knights share similar traditions to prepare them for competitions. Junior, Nori Blaisdell shared that the team has good luck songs they listen to while warming up to get them excited before performing. They also have a chant they do before they go out to perform. This allows them to feel connected before they compete and focused on their routine.
Beyond just sports, our tight-knit group of marching bands members also share a fair amount of traditions. Each instrument group has their own rituals to bring them together. Clarinet player Hannah Douglas shared how before games and performances, members will go around in a circle and say to whom they are dedicating the show. After dedications, they sing a song, specifically, “Lean on Me” by Bill Withers. If every team was to follow their traditions, maybe everyone could perform in California.
Even if you aren’t a part of any of these groups, Lincoln-Way Central has traditions of its own. All incoming freshmen are taught not to step on the Knight head by the main gym because it will bring bad luck. This may seem like a silly superstition, but everyone knows to steer clear of the plaque in fear of the potential of bad luck. In addition, every Friday, PE students routinely hear the sound of Coach Karales’ whistle followed by the fight song. Lastly, but most importantly, every single student follows the long-respected tradition of Knight Pride.
