“Buena Rivalry Day,” previously known as “Buena Nerd Day,” has become many VHS students’ favorite spirit day, according to students. However, an uproar of complaints and opposition were expressed by students when this year’s spirit day themes were announced and “Buena Nerd Day” was not included.
Rumors were exchanged by students, some saying that Foothill Technology High School was to blame because a staffer of the Foothill Dragon Press last year had written an article about the spirit day entitled “Dear Buena and Ventura, cut it out with ‘Nerd Day.” The opinion article emphasized in the author’s eyes the offensive nature of dressing up as a “nerd,” and went on to say that “days like this are wrong and pointless.”
It was later discovered that the change was decided on by all VUSD principals at a meeting, in efforts to minimize hatred between schools.
Nonetheless, some students were still upset about the ending of the tradition and many vowed they would still dress up as a “Buena Nerd” in October 12 despite the actual spirit day theme being “Character Day.” Students used social media platforms to encourage other students to dress up as “Buena Nerds” as well. “Will there be consequences for going against the set theme?” was a frequently asked question.
Shortly after all of the fuss, posters could be seen that “Buena Nerd Day” was back on, but with a new name, “Buena Rivalry Day.”
VHS principal, Carlos Cohen, sent out an email to many VHS staff members describing the decision to end Buena/Ventura Nerd day, the change in tradition, and the new circumstances. Below is Cohen’s statement:
“When combined with a commitment to sportsmanship and fair play, competition can bring out the best in us. The Buena – Ventura rivalry is a longstanding, cherished competition, and we want these contests between our two hometown high schools to bring out the best in us. The tradition of Nerd Day in the fall, when students and staff dress up in uniforms and attire from the other school, has been fun. But, all traditions at one time or another go through a process of being reevaluated in light of new perspectives and new events. The site administration of Buena, Foothill Tech, and Ventura together, with district support, have decided that while we’d like to continue with the fun tradition of dressing up as the opposing high school, we hope students will understand our desire to move away from also dressing as nerds, as this may appear as an attempt to elevate ourselves by disparaging others, for cheering against the other team as opposed to cheering for our team. And so, we hope that students, staff and parents will join us in choosing to enjoy the spirit of this rivalry in this new way. Thank you to the student leaders that have already made the change and are working hard at their schools to model the way. There will not be punishments nor consequences, but the dress code still applies. Instead, we are respectfully asking for your support, that you would be willing to choose restraint, to make a change, to better uphold the ideals of sportsmanship, as we let this great San Buenaventura rivalry bring out the best in all of us. If you have any questions about our request, please contact your school’s principal. Thank you” -Cohen.
Both VHS and BHS in the end held “Rivalry days” on Thursday, October 12 where students participated in mocking their rival school by wearing each other’s colors and dressing up in a “silly” manner.
