Next week is Spirit Week at Norwich High School, a week-long battle which pits Purple against White to see which team has more school spirit.

But while competition is the name of the game and bragging rights the ultimate prize, the event is about building a positive culture and climate at the school, according to Assistant Principal Scott Ryan.

“It’s a fun time at Norwich High School,” the administrator said. In keeping with tradition, this year’s freshman and seniors are the Purple team, while the sophomores and juniors are the White. According to Ryan, this arrangement helps forge greater bonds between all students.

“The kids take ownership,” he said, explaining that the Pep Club and Student Government came together to plan this year’s event. “It’s been nice to see.”

Each day, students have the chance to help their team rack up points by dressing according to that days theme. Monday it will be super heroes; Tuesday, twins; Wednesday, the wild west; and Thursday, sports. On Friday, officially called Purple and White day, each will sport their team color.

Points will be based on participation, and those scores tracked on the Pride Wall, created last year in an effort to encourage student involvement.

This year, each team will have even more opportunities to accumulate points, according to Ryan. The first of which will be a daily trivia competition, featuring academic questions styled after the popular board game, Trivial Pursuit.

Also new this year will be a Talent Show, to be held Thursday night in the auditorium. Ryan said the event is designed to showcase the unique talents of Norwich students.

Ryan said he is looking forward to the event, which he explained is in keeping with one of the building’s goals for the year - to recognize the positive.

“This is all student-driven,” the administrator said. He is eager to give credit where he says it is due: with the group of student leaders who felt so strongly about highlighting the talents of their fellow high schoolers that they took the initiative to plan the event.

Senior Casey Edwards, a Leadership Project participant who is currently student body president, has lead the student government project team responsible for the initiative.