CENTERTON -- West High School's principal said he's reconsidering his initial thought not to hold a colors day celebration this school year.
"I kind of jumped the gun a little bit," said Jonathon Guthrie, principal. "I had told some people we probably would not be having it, and I should have vetted that through my administrative team."
Colors Day celebration dates
• Bentonville High School: Jan. 20
• Fayetteville High School: Feb. 17
• Rogers Heritage High School: Jan. 20
• Rogers High School: Jan. 27
• Springdale Har-Ber High School: Jan. 27
• Springdale High School: Feb. 10
Source: Staff report
Guthrie said he heard from some students about it.
"A couple of them came to me and said they'd like to have" a colors day, he said.
Guthrie said he'll discuss the matter with fellow administrators and make a decision this week.
"We need to make a decision pretty quickly," he said. "If we do it, we'll hit it out of the park and have fun with it and try to get as many kids involved as possible."
West High School opened in August as Bentonville School District's second high school. Guthrie said he's interested in continuing good traditions started by Bentonville High School, but also wants to explore other ideas that may be unique to West.
"This year we tried to think long term, because we know we're setting precedents and starting things that could be continued for a lot of years," Guthrie said. "I want to make sure they're good things and they're worth continuing."
Each of Northwest Arkansas' other big high schools -- in Rogers, Springdale and Fayetteville -- have a colors day scheduled either this month or next month.
Colors day is associated with the basketball season. It's similar to the homecoming festivities most high schools run each fall. Students typically vote on a colors day court, and there's often a colors day dance.
Bentonville will hold its colors day on Jan. 20, when the Tigers host Rogers High School. Bentonville has done colors day for at least 40 years, said Principal Jack Loyd. While it may not be quite as popular as homecoming, it's still a big deal, he said.
"Kids are very well aware of colors day and the court. Especially for the court members, the girls who are elected, it's a big deal. I think it's a good activity," Loyd said.
West did hold a homecoming celebration in September, despite this being its first year of operation. The school has about 1,200 students in grades nine through 11. It will gain a senior class next school year.
NW News on 01/08/2017