Saturday May 25th 2013

Superstitions at Samo: Huddles and Handshakes

Amancai Biraben and Mia Lopez-Zubiri
Staff Writers

The idea of luck is important to many Samo teams, clubs and orginizations.

Senior Gabriel Freeman has participated in theater since his freshman year. While many believe saying “good luck” will bring, well, good luck, Freeman says that quite the opposite will occur in the world of theater.

“You do not wish someone ‘good luck’. It’s just not done. It kind of jinxes it,” Freeman said.

Instead, Freeman says that thespians tell each other to “break a leg” before a performance.

However, not every luck ritual is universal. Jaryd Dorsey, Samo sophomore and member of the boys’ varsity soccer team says that he irons all of his soccer clothes for good luck before playing a game. According to Dorsey, if he doesn’t iron his clothes he feels uncomfortable and unprofessional, which puts him in a negative mindset before the game even starts. However, when he wears his crisp uniform, Dorsey is ready to take on

he opposing team.

“It makes me feel confident in my performance, like I’ll have a better game,” Dorsey said.

Senior Imani Barton, Gold Captain of Samo’s varsity cheerleading squad says that she has both personal and team-wide traditions. First, Barton says that the team prepares for competitions by singing songs on the bus rides over. Then, before performing their routine, the team has a customary huddle, followed by each stunt group’s lucky handshake. Personally, Barton also prays in order to bring out her best.

“It definitely, definitely gives me a positive outlook,” Barton said.

In the flute section of Samo’s marching band, the musicians believe in “the pinky kiss.” Right before a competition or football game, every member of the flute section will make a fist and connect just their pinkie finger with the person next to them, and then kiss their fist and pass it on.

“The pinkie kiss changes the confidence I have in myself,” said flute section member Sara Arvesen.

Although luck is based purely in superstition instead of scientific fact, don’t expect to see a drop

in lucky action anytime soon. After all, even without solid proof, adding a lucky handshake to a pre-game ritual can’t hurt.

abiraben@thesamohi.com
mlopez-zubiri@thesamohi.com

More from category

Ed Trust West

The Santa Monica Malibu Unified School District (SMMUSD) received a “C” rating for failing to support minority [Read More]

Understanding the Ignorant: Religion in Media

Anika Narayanan Staff Writer Religion carries baggage. Any mention of Christianity might lend itself to thoughts of [Read More]

Eva Mayoral appointed as new Samo principal

Current John Adams Middle School (JAMS) principal, Eva Mayoral was recently appointed as the new principal for Samo. [Read More]

Boys’ basketball defeats Dana Hills in third round CIF on Feb. 26

Francesca Billington Staff Writer Boys’ basketball dominated in its third round of the California Interscholastic [Read More]

Hunters at Samohi

Micol Azcarate Staff Writer While for most of us the only knowledge we have about hunting comes from “Looney [Read More]