How Blue Crew Builds Cate

By Jade Wang '28

Any student at Cate can tell you that at any football or volleyball game, you’ll feel the energy before you see it. Blaring megaphones, school chants echoing across the bleachers, and a crowd of students decked out in colors matching the theme of the night create a lively, electric atmosphere at Cate home games. In front of the bleachers, leading the charge, is Blue Crew, Cate School’s student-run spirit squad—our loudest, most recognizable symbols of school pride and community. Blue Crew is run by Lauren Hubbs '26, Barron Crayton '26, Josh Butler '26, Gwendi Rogers '27, KayKay Ercil '27, and Devon Liang '27.

But Blue Crew isn’t just about noise; it’s about building a sense of unity, honoring our school spirit, and bringing all students together at sports events. “The goal is to bring more spirit to campus, especially at sports games and activities,” said Gwendi Rogers ‘27, a junior member of Blue Crew and their social media manager. “The focus this year is on involving underclassmen, freshmen, and sophomores, and making it clear that spirit is a big part of Cate’s culture.” 

Blue Crew plays an active role in planning sports event themes, creating posters and advertising for games, and setting the tone for school events. Whether it’s organizing a “blue-out” theme for the season’s first football game or prepping posters and snacks on the sidelines, they’re behind the scenes, making it happen. “It’s about supporting others,” said KayKay Ercil ‘27, a spirit coordinator head on Blue Crew. “We bring megaphones, make reels and assembly announcements, and even talk to the sports teams about what they want for their games.” This gives a glimpse into the work and care that go into each game; Blue Crew connects the community not just through their chants and energy, but also by talking to the teams and building a relationship.

Not only does Blue Crew lead the school, but it also serves as an example that younger students can aspire to, as many underclassmen have expressed a desire to join in the future. “I want to join Blue Crew because it makes me feel so connected to the community,” said Aggie McTigue, a current sophomore. It inspires students to be bold, loud, and authentic, showing them that true school spirit stems from being themselves and supporting one another. “On Blue Crew, you can’t really be embarrassed—it’s all about spirit,” they both added. This encapsulates one of the core values of Blue Crew: fun. It’s a judgment-free zone where energy and enthusiasm are celebrated, not just allowed, but encouraged, so students can stop worrying about what anyone else thinks.

Beyond the cheers and themed outfits, though, Blue Crew is about building something lasting. “Blue Crew gets everyone hyped about Cate. Students feel proud of their friends, teammates, and even people they don’t personally know,” said KayKay, “It’s about supporting others and fostering pride in the whole community.” This ripple effect spreads throughout the students, inspiring more people to attend games, join in the chants,  and, most importantly, take pride in their role in the Cate community.

So whether you’re up front leading the chants or cheering from the back row, Blue Crew reminds students that spirit isn’t just about being loud; it’s about showing up for each other, and at Cate, that connection is what truly defines school spirit.