The House Cup started in 2021, the year COVID-19 hit our community. Saint Paul Academy was online, with grades competing to gain the most points before the year ended. Fast forward to 2023, and the House Cup is still a way for the school’s population to come together and take a break from the academic rigor of the day, except now it is in person.

The previous events have included tug of war and musical chairs, where students cheer on their representatives. The events promote school spirit and bring grades together for a common pursuit, winning. People may argue that the house cup promotes unnecessary competition within a community that is already so competitive.

However, the house cup promotes healthy competition. A research study conducted about healthy competition in education by the University of Autonome Madrid defines healthy competition as “a short activity where outcomes have to be trivial, and which has to be focused on the process rather than on the outcomes.” The house cup provides a low stake event that everyone can enjoy. The house cup’s entertainment exists throughout the event’s course rather than the result. Students can support their teammates even while knowing they are going to lose. For example, the last house cup event was musical chairs, and the finalist was on the gold team; however, that did not stop their spirit, and the blue team still cheered on the students despite knowing they could not win. The participants played without fear of being graded or marked down based on their performance.

Homecoming and the House Cup have similar events, where students form teams or compete with their sports team to win events. They are prevalent amongst the student body and do not have any protests regarding unhealthy competition.

The House Cup does not divide the community. Competition is something that everyone has to face in life, whether through work, school, or a job. Avoiding all competition does not diminish its existence. According to Sage Journals, learning to deal with competition, whether healthy or unhealthy, will help establish coping methods later in life. Another argument is that the house cup further divides the community. Instead of bringing it together, the teams sit by grades and stick to their established friend groups instead of promoting the community the house cup encourages.

Instead of focusing on the problem with the house cup, students should look at their mindset.

Students should not blame limiting factors on the event and should take action and change the narrative. The student committee can decide whether the teams should be split differently, such as reverting to the grade level model. The House Cup allows students to interact with peers they do not see in their classes or activities. The House Cup unites the students on their team in a common goal, and after each event, students can be found chatting with their friends about the event’s outcomes. It gives students an outlet to communicate about something not academically related.

The House Cup creates a safe space for students to take a break from the hectic school day and cheer on their fellow peers.