Castle Crazies Lead the Charge in School Spirit and Unity

By Grier Herring, Shield Editor 

NRCA high school students create an encouraging environment for athletic competitions through their student section—the Castle Crazies. Together, they work to build a community among their peers and players.  

At every game, no matter the conditions, the Castle Crazies can be found at the front of the stands, cheering louder than anyone else. Senior Sarah Mason, one of the leaders of the Castle Crazies, shared what it means to be part of this group and why school spirit means so much to the student body. 

“We make [social media] videos, run around school, and encourage people to come to the games and get hype,” Mason explained. “We lead the student section with cheers, chants and all of the above.” 

For Mason, one of the best memories as a leader comes from Friday night football games. “I love when people come, and they turn around the corner, and everyone just cheers because they showed up and they’re here.” The welcoming environment of the student section makes everyone feel as if they are a part of a community, united to support each other. 

Mason believes school spirit is about more than just noise, it’s about unity. “It makes the teams hype and gets them encouraged,” she said. “As the student body, if we’re encouraging our teams, it just unites us as a group.” 

Traditions play a big role too, especially the student section’s favorite roller coaster cheer. “That one always gets everyone hyped,” Mason explained. One of the leaders often leads chants throughout the game to uplift and motivate the teams. 

Students can get more involved at any time. Mason said it’s simple to become a part of the group by “coming to the games, showing up, getting hype, and inviting your friends.” 

For the rest of the school year, the Castle Crazies are looking forward to celebrating their classmates. “I’m most excited for senior nights. Hopefully, that’ll encourage even more people to come and get hyped to cheer on their seniors,” Mason said. 

The Castle Crazies aren’t just about cheering—they’re about building community, lifting up athletes, and keeping school spirit alive for everyone.