It’s official. Mepham is the school spirit champ of Long Island! When News 12 Long Island launched its first School Spirit Showdown, Mepham High School responded loud and proud with a whopping 32,000 votes to cinch the first win. Twelve high schools across the island were nominated for the month-long contest and within days, the Pirate nation quickly took the lead and edged out its closest competitor, Baldwin High School, by thousands of votes.

News 12 announced a new fall series to highlight the excellence in education, athletics, the arts, and, of course, school spirit, in Long Island schools. According to Mr. Gomez, as letters nominating Mepham High School were sent in by teachers, faculty, parents and students, our school quickly made it into the top 12 schools vying for the School Spirit Showdown. Calhoun and Kennedy High School also made it into the Top 12 schools competing.

In only the second week of classes, Mr. Gomez announced the call for votes and in true Pirate form, the call was answered with fervor. Students, alumni, faculty, administrators and parents logged in their votes daily. Within two weeks, Mepham became the first winner of the News 12 School Spirit Showdown.

On Tuesday, October 2nd, News12 was greeted with a festive display of cheerleaders, football players and other club members making a grand entrance through the school’s main lobby. News 12 Long Island reporter Elizabeth Hashagen was visibly impressed by the waves of students flaunting their maroon and white Mepham gear. Mr. Gomez said, “I think we won because we have a tremendous and supportive community, outstanding students, and an amazing faculty that voted daily on the News 12 website. Plus, Pirate Pride is widespread and embraced by our community.”

The “sense of community in all aspects of the school,” according to Salutatorian Gabby Daza, from athletics to music, art and broadcasting, all contribute to our school spirit. And with everyone always “giving it their all,” according to Homecoming King Anthony Novello, Mepham pride is evident every day.
On Thursday, October 4th, Mepham’s winning school spirit aired on News 12. When asked to describe in one word his feeling upon viewing the broadcast, Mr. Gomez said, “Elated!” as we should all be.