Homecoming week for the 2025-2026 school year was from September 29 through September 5. During this week seniors were excited to come to school in togas on Thursday Sept. 2. Togas were originally a garment worn by male citizens in ancient Rome to symbolize citizenship. Traditionally, this is a day that Manitou Springs High School does every year during Homecoming week where only seniors have the privilege to come to school in togas. Most seniors take sheets or fabric and add accessories to it to create a fun design.
Kyle Blasi, a senior and a participant of toga day, feels that this tradition is a nice way to allow seniors to feel recognized and comfortable designing their togas in their own style. “I think toga day is a nice way to recognize seniors and their accomplishments for their last year of high school,” Blasi said. “It gives them a chance to express themselves and feel special for their last year.”
Blasi also believes that school spirit is an important way that contributes to bringing the seniors together. “Togas are important for school spirit because I think they kind of unite the class together as one, and it’s been something that I’ve been looking forward to ever since I saw them my freshman year. I think it just kind of creates a tradition which builds a community of unity,” Blasi said. “I would definitely encourage future seniors to wear togas because it’s not going to be school spirit if nobody’s doing it.”
Many seniors are coming together and participating in toga day because they don’t want to miss out on tradition and school spirit. Natalie Traenkle, another participant of toga day, decided to wear a toga because of this very reason. “I decided to wear one because it’s a senior tradition, and I wanted to participate in the dress up day,” Traenkle said. “I think participating is important because it is a part of school spirit.”
Weston Cassidy feels that dressing up for toga day is a way to bring the community together. “I think it’s lame to not involve yourself in spirit days because it’s part of the community,” Cassidy said. “It makes the community stronger if everyone participates, reinforcing them positively.”
Cassidy has a way to encourage other seniors to participate so the community can be stronger. “I would yell at them that it’s lame to not participate, but I would do it in a productive manner.”
Cassidy also thinks that wearing and designing your toga is a good way to express your creativity and freedom. “You can add whatever you want to your toga and wear it however you want.”
Leiana Warren (12) also believes that wearing togas brings unity among seniors. “It helps all of us know who the seniors are, and brings unity a little bit,” Warren said. “I think it helps show spirit.”
Warren feels that in the future seniors should consider the size of the sheet. “I think some advice is, to get a smaller sheet than I did, not a king.”
Blasi believes that the dress code for togas should not be as restricted as the school makes it, giving seniors more freedom in their design. “If I could change one thing about Toga day, I’d say it would be to have the admin not conform to a dress code,” Blasi said. “ I have made sure that all my chest is covered and things like that just seem like a lot of work. So I just think that having more chill rules would be nice.”
Traenkle feels that it is important and a fun experience for seniors to participate and dress up for toga day. “It brings us together, because all of us got to dress up and have an experience,” Treankle said. “This was fun because it felt kind of silly, but everyone else is doing it too, so it felt fun.”
