On her first Friday of freshmen year, senior Brookie Natal walked into school wearing yellow tights and a green tutu. According to Natal, people gave her confused looks, not understanding why she was wearing green and gold on a Friday other than Loyalty Day.
“Someone told me what [Green and Gold Friday] was and I wore green and gold on the first Friday and no one else did,” said Natal. “So, I was kind of scarred ever since.”
Ryan Goldsher, Student Association Executive Board President, said participation in Green and Gold Friday is not strong.
“I don’t think [students] choose not to [participate],” said Goldsher. “I just think it is not on their radar.”
Goldsher has proposed other ideas to SA Board such as “Freedom Friday,” when students would wear red, white and blue on Fridays. The objective of these suggestions is to unify the student body by drawing attention to a school wide event.
Dr. Michael Greenstein graduated from Glenbrook North in 2001 and said most students participate in Green and Gold Fridays now.
“I think different students do it for different reasons,” said Greenstein. “Some students really get into the assemblies. …But I think a lot of students also do it because they are involved in a club or activity and they show a lot of pride in that.”
Social studies teacher Jamie Ellinger-Macon graduated from GBN in 2003. Ellinger-Macon said participation in Green and Gold Friday is stronger now than when she was a student but estimates that only 30 percent of her students participate now.
“As a teacher, I can see the benefit of Green and Gold Fridays,” said Ellinger-Macon. “I think it is a great way to show that the school is a united community.” Ellinger-Macon added that it was important for seniors to participate in Green and Gold Friday because they act as a model for freshmen.
Goldsher agrees with Ellinger-Macon.
“It all starts with the senior class,” said Goldsher. “So, I think if we can get more seniors to do [Green and Gold Fridays], then it will basically trickle down to every other grade.”