Nearly a half-century after the club’s inception, the Spirit of Kinkaid Club continues to celebrate the school’sfall sports through SOK week, a week-long event that is designed to boost morale and create a buzz leading up to the yearly football game against rival school St. John’s.
Today, SOK is a powerhouse in keeping the school’s spirit alive and immersing the student body with this year’s theme of “Around the World.” At the heart of their busy calendar, SOK week is a time-honored celebration of Kinkaid’s five varsity sports teams.
“Every year, the girls would dedicate a wall to each varsity fall sport and decorate it from top to bottom with paper, paint, and glitter,” recalled Kamilah Ruiz-Rodriguez, ‘18, an alumna who vividly recounted her time as a SOK member. “By the end of SOK week, the student center is almost unrecognizable.”
Until now, SOK week unfolded in the student center, which would transform into a vibrant sea of glitter and a space to build anticipation leading up to the historic annual Kinkaid vs. St. John’s game.
However, due to the Upper School construction, students have been temporarily relocated to a temporary Upper school building that lacks the familiar Student Center. In an unprecedented shift this year, SOK Week will instead take place in the Ogilvie Lobby in the Katz performing arts building.
With the transition to the Ogilvie Lobby, SOK members have been working to adapt to the new environment.
“This year, we can only decorate with glitter outside because we aren’t using our space anymore. Even though we’re supposed to leave at 8:30, we all stay until 10 at night. It’s worth it, though; it’s fun,” sophomore and SOK board member Evan Paris said.
SOK week has also stirred up nostalgic memories.
“As a former student, it’s sad that there’s not a student center anymore,” Kamilah Ruiz-Rodriguez, ‘18, said. “It was really cool to see what the club would put together every year.”
Founded in 1974 with 150 students, the SOK club has steadily grown over the years to be one of the largest student organizations at Kinkaid. Countless generations of students have been greeted on the first day of school with painstakingly detailed locker signs adorned with glitter thanks to SOK members, cementing their presence in the Kinkaid community from day one.
With the 2023 SOK week ramping up, new students are looking forward to being a part of this tradition.
Freshmen SOK members Sophie Mehta and Juliana Scheibner expressed their excitement.
“I don’t really know what SOK week was like before because this is my first year,” Mehta said. “I feel like it’s going to be a great way to bring excitement to the school for the St. John’s game so that we can really put our energy into winning.”
“I’m most excited for the glitter,” added freshman SOK member Juliana Scheibner. “I love doing glitter!”