Class of 2013: That's the spirit! - Prince of the Dawg Pound

From the Winter Carnival royal court to the cheering section at the basketball court, senior Shane Marcial has an abundance of school spirit.

School pride goes hand-in-hand with community pride for the athletic 18-year-old Whitefish High School senior. The relationship between the two is interchangeable.

“When we travel as a team, or as a group, or any kind of extracurricular thing, they say you’re not only representing the team, you’re representing the town,” Marcial said. “The same way people from the community go out and travel, they represent the community and school. It’s important to show the two work together.”

There is the old adage that “life is what you make of it,” and it is obvious Marcial makes it fun.

He likened school spirit and participation as oil in a machine that keeps the school running smoothly.

“Basically it’s just doing what you like to do to your fullest and enjoying every little bit about it, being vocal about it, trying to get others involved,” Marcial said.

His spirit radiates when he is competing in athletics or rallying the Bulldogs Dawg Pound student cheer section. This year, he served as captain of the football team and played on the Glacier Twins baseball legion team.

“For the football team, you do pregame talks, push everyone in practice, helping everyone, basically trying to mentor younger kids at the same time keeping the team together as one,” Marcial said of his duties as captain.

“It definitely adds a little more to your plate every day, but at the same time you know your duties and responsibilities,” Marcial added noting that balancing academics and athletics has taught him the importance of organization.

As an athlete, Marcial said he understands the importance of student support to boost morale. When he’s not competing, he helps continue the Dawg Pound tradition by circulating reminders about game dates, bus schedules for athletes and fans, and, most importantly, themes for students to dress for.

“It’s something fun, and being an athlete I understand the want and the need for the extra help by the student body. It’s always good to know that you have people there supporting you,” Marcial said.

During his sophomore and junior years, he helped Connor Donahue lead the Dawg Pound as “the two wild guys that run around and create nonsense.”

Whether the theme is dressing in all white during a “whiteout” and swinging towels overhead or dressing in crazy costumes such as bananas and hot dogs, “We keep it fun,” Marcial said.

When school spirit and athleticism collided, Marcial first entered his school’s talent show sophomore year winning first place for his interpretation of the YouTube viral video “Evolution of Dance” part one. He swept first place this year for busting a move performing the evolution of dance part two and served as emcee. Before then, he really didn’t dance.

“The first one I’d only rehearsed for a week ... my friend always wanted me to do it,” Marcial said. “This year was more of a month of rehearsing — basically me, a mirror and a computer.”

His dance moves have provided lasting entertainment, such as during his junior year as a freshman orientation tour guide.

“Ms. Fuller had to bring it up last school year that I won the talent show and everyone yelled out a dance move I had to do. It was a little bit embarrassing,” Marcial said.

His fellow classmates have been an integral part in creating school pride and taking the lead in many areas at school.

“It’s not just me that’s helped out,” Marcial said. “When I need help, I go to my classmates.”

In addition to helping out with freshman orientation for two years, he has served as a teacher student aide.

During the 2012 Whitefish Winter Carnival, Marcial was crowned Prince Frey and continues to occasionally help out with the carnival.

“It sounded like something that was fun to do — something different. It was one way of giving back to the community. You go around and talk at all the schools in Whitefish.”

Why get involved?

“To me, it makes me feel good to know I can help better the school in any way. It helps improve me as a person and helps me learn a lot more things, definitely, in my four years here,” Marcial said.

This fall, Marcial will attend the University of Montana-Missoula and study physical therapy. Named an all-state running back this year, Marcial also plans to try out for the football and baseball teams.

“My advice is just for people to get involved as much as possible because sometimes people feel like either they are too cool, or don’t have the time for it. There’s always different things you can get involved with the school to help. The more things you do the better the school gets.”

Reporter Hilary Matheson may be reached at 758-4431 or by email at hmatheson@dailyinterlake.com.