By Andrea Garcia, Grade 12
Ask almost any Woodrose student and she will tell you that Intrams is the most anticipated season of the school year. Just at the mention of it, she can practically hear Mrs. Sator’s iconic voice echoing throughout the gym, smell the unmistakable scent of metallic paper and paint around the quadrangle, and see the mass of blue, gold, green, and red thrumming with suspense as they crowd the front of the stage for awarding. From the sticky feeling of sweat eternally running down one’s face to the sweet taste of milk tea ordered with teammates (after school, of course), there are so many distinct memories attached to Intrams season. And considering the active and hands-on nature of the event, it makes sense that most of these memories are physical and tangible experiences. So, what happens to the most anticipated season of the year when everything gets moved online?
Intrams is a time for students to truly shine, an opportunity to showcase their talent in leadership, art, and sports, while also learning the importance of teamwork and camaraderie. For the Student Council and Team Captains, it was essential to keep these aspects of the Intrams season alive, even under the constraints of remote learning. Although the challenge of creating the first ever online Intramurals was daunting, it was even scarier to imagine a school year without Intrams. So, through seemingly endless Zoom meetings and countless group chats, the first online Intrams Opening came together. The core team – composed of the Student Council, committee heads, and core members of each team – gathered ideas from other online events over the quarantine. Livestreams, Zoom breakout rooms, and even Karaoke Princess were all examined and analyzed to see what would work best for our Intrams. With the help of the Management Committee, Level Councils, and teachers, the schedule was eventually finalized. Over the course of around a week, students put Google Sheets, Google Drive, and Google Docs to the test as they raced to complete everything by February 24.
Finally, Intrams Opening came. The day started off with a livestream to mimic the Opening Ceremony, complete with the iconic parade of colors. The Intrams website was also launched, beautifully designed by the production committee and props teams, so students could keep track of their activities for the day. For the rest of the morning, students were able to bond with their teammates through games and other activities. Of course, Intrams is never complete without performances, so with lunch came videos of songs and dances from Woodrose’s own students. Friends, family, and teachers made sure to send their support through the live chat section. The day ended with another livestream hosted by the Team Captains, featuring raffles, parade viewings, messages from the alumnae, and even more games. With that, the first ever online Intrams was opened.
Though there were some challenges along the way, it was amazing to see how both the students and teachers were able to adapt to this new online platform. While it is true that some aspects of Intrams were lost, so many new possibilities also opened up. Mommies had more interaction with their kids, the props team showed off their digital art abilities, and the Team Captains learned they might have talent in the hosting industry. This Intrams season is one that no one expected or prepared for, but it will definitely be one for the books. Who knows what other possibilities will open up as the Intrams season continues?
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