The Golden Goat spirit week is one of Hellgate’s most popular traditions, filled with fun personal expression, wild outfits and interesting personal effects and of cours lots of red and gold throughout the week. The tradition was started before Covid quarantine in 2020 and has been one of, if not the, most anticipated school sport throughout Missoula for students, avid basketball fans, parents, friends and family that is used to both unite and separate Missoula to one of the previously two schools, now between the three main schools.
Hellgate and Sentinel were the two parts of the original rivalry and the quest for Gertie was the perfect way to wage spirit war against each other after decades of building rivalry. However after Big Sky spent the first few years of Golden Goat on the sidelines never actually getting to join the rivalry they fought to join and succeeded. Now each winner plays the loser of two years previous. Last year Hellgate triumphed against Big Sky by two points, bringing Gertie to the only home she’s ever known watching over the students of Hellgate High School. This year the original rivalry is back and Hellgate and Sentinel will fight yet again in their historic rivalry.
Though Hellgate has not lost a game yet, vanquishing both Big Sky and Sentinel for years, many are tense anticipating the strenuous fight students will face this year. Thankfully in order to build the school spirit up for the important games and spirit war Hellgate has prepared a very detailed itinerary of spirit for the lead up week.
The 1st day of spirit week started Thursday the Feb. 8 with anything but a backpack day where students trekked through the building with a large array of interesting items to transport the supplies. Some of the more practical were cute purses and fun bags that still allowed students to transport reasonably while the more extreme and enjoyable to witness were large fishing nets slung over students shoulders filled with their supplies. Though it was enjoyable to watch, several students likely almost got concued due to the large uncontrollable nets.
Day 2 of spirit week was Friday the 9th where students decked out in their classical red and gold. Students came to school in the classic red and gold tutus, lots and lots of glitter and face paint, long fun ribbons decorated most peoples hair, as well as any other fun gold and red outfit items students could get their hands on.
The 3rd day being Tuesday the 13 saw students wearing country vs. country club. Students dug through their parents’ closets to find that old odd pair of cowboy/cowgirl boots their parents had from long ago, as well as their fun cowboy/cowgirl hats. On the other end students decked out in the preppiest of clothing, many students attending with the ever impractical sweater tied around their shoulders alongside the classic cuffed button up.
Valentines day saw people dressed up in their finest beach wear even with the dark clouds, low of 23 degrees and high of 31. Despite the snow and chilling winds there was the classic array of Hawaiian shirts and shorts. Freesin for a reason happened at lunch as well where students could vote to see their friends dumped in an ice bath because spending time outside wasn’t cold enough.
Goat day itself was on thursday where students decked out in their Goat shirts without the theme of building a legacy as well as any construction item they could get their hands on. Students showed in all arrays of red, gold, neon yellow, green and orange. At the very least the student body was very bright and showed the true fun of school spirit.
The last day of Goat week students could dress down into their comfiest pajamas after the long night of fighting the spirit war. No matter what happens at the game at the very least students get to relax at school in their PJ’s. The weeks of spirit fun truly help to unite the student body as well as bring out the inner child of everyone.
