Color Day was a shocking day for B-CC High School.

What was meant to be an exciting day of healthy class competition and overarching school spirit went a bit awry. All day, rumor after rumor circulated around the school. We were shocked by stories of ketchup fights, before-school drinking, and some instances of violence. For a full report of the student activities, read The Washington Post's Article.

Soon, the media was exploding with news on the “horrors of Color Day,” tarnishing our image quite a bit. Spectators and participants alike blamed parents, students, and the administration for the events of Color Day.

So how does a school recover from an incident like this?

In a letter sent to B-CC parents last weekend, our principal, Ms. Lockard, announced how “a number of students engaged in very unacceptable behavior.”

Then the B-CC net, B-CC’s parent forum, erupted with life. While there were inevitably some scathing critiques of the administration, most were suggestions on how to change Color Day for the better.

"The best way to change the behavior is by tweaking the day itself," one parent posted.

Most parents agreed to switch Color Day with a B-CC unity day, where all students wear blue and gold instead of their class colors.

Parents also volunteered to serve as monitors in hallways and common places in Bethesda to help combat another problem made apparent on Color Day—a lack of security.

Last Monday, in an announcement to the school, Ms. Lockard declared that Color Day “will now cease to exist,” proving our suspicions right.

In addition to canceling all future Color Days, Ms. Lockard also asked teachers to go over the psychology of mob mentality (which can definitely explain the actions of Friday).  

But how can a declaration like this truly be enacted? As shown on Friday, Oct. 21, the traditions of Color Day are rooted in many students being quite unwilling to part with the beloved tradition.

While there is a universal recognition that this Color Day was an unwanted extreme, most students want to keep the tradition and agree that next year is bound to be worse.

“Things next year will be considerably worse, given the fact that all of the juniors this year will be 'denied' next year,” one student posted in an online forum.

Unfortunately, this idea is quite possible. The previously mentioned Washington Post article discusses Langley High School’s similar experience with Color Day. On their replacement, “school unity day,” students responded with a planned food fight and spray paint war.

Over the past few days, however, it has become apparent that the administration intends to take serious action against this ritual.

There are daily meetings to discuss what to do this year and next to prevent the evils of mob mentality from rearing its head in B-CC again. This, combined with the agreement by parents on the B-CC net, should make for a more peaceful spirit week next year.

As we say farewell to Color Day, I am sad but relieved. I am sorry that new students will be deprived of the fun and school spirit of Color Day that I have thoroughly enjoyed. However, it is only logical that Color Day be canceled. It is unfair that the actions of the minority ruin an incredibly special day for the majority, but it would be ridiculous to continue to jeopardize the welfare of our students and the integrity of the school.

I hope that spirit week can continue to be a wonderful week for all students.