At Leysin American School in Switzerland, we embrace the excitement of community events and friendly competitions! Spirit Week, an annual LAS tradition, is a week-long celebration where students participate in activities, representing their dorms and learning new skills along the way. Held last month, this year’s Spirit Week was a fantastic opportunity for students to connect with dormmates, enjoy some friendly competition, eat delicious food, and explore creative outlets alongside their academic pursuits!
On Monday, our students showed off their team spirit during the annual Dorm Olympics! In this exciting event, dorms compete in a variety of fun challenges to see which group will come out on top. Students arrived proudly wearing dorm t-shirts, ready to cheer and participate in activities such as the chair challenge, ball pit game, and Oreo face challenge, among others!
On Tuesday, students participated in a flag and banner-making activity to support the two big football matches of the week! In the Savoy art rooms, students showcased their creativity with impressive designs, working together to show their support for the LAS teams. In the afternoon, the girls’ football team played against Champittet and won 9-2, a fantastic win for LAS.
On Wednesday, a Japanese company (run by a current LAS family!) came to campus to cook okonomiyaki, a Japanese savory pancake, for students and faculty to try. In the afternoon, the boys’ football team faced the International School of Lausanne in an exciting match! The atmosphere was incredible, with live music, drums, and plenty of flag-waving, as the LAS team received enthusiastic support. In addition, a free pizza food truck and complimentary hot chocolate were available for everyone!
Thursday’s exciting basketball game between faculty and students was a heated competition. It was great to see students from different grades participate, and the game was filled with rivalry, great sportsmanship, and teamwork. The afternoon was made even more fun by the strong support from the student crowd, and we can’t wait for more student vs. staff events!
Friday was a great day, where students competed in dodgeball tournament and had fun dressing down for the day! Dress-down day this year raised money for the Sethule Orphans’ Trust, a charity in Zimbabwe that LAS supports. Wherever possible, we encourage a spirit of philanthropy in our community and teach the importance of giving. Every year, staff and students organize a trip with the Sethule Orphans’ Trust in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. This partnership between LAS and Sethule has been strong for over a decade and has allowed students year after year to serve others, make friendships, and learn about different cultures. We are delighted to use the money raised from our dress-down day for this important cause.
This year, Spirit Week at Leysin American School was a great success, bringing students together through friendly competition, creative activities, and community engagement! From the Dorm Olympics and football matches to Japanese culinary experiences, each day offered a unique opportunity for students to connect and try new things! We can’t wait for more events in the coming months that encourage student engagement, learning, and philanthropy in our community!
