Every fall, Selma High comes alive with one of the most anticipated traditions of the school year: Rivalry Week. For years, Selma and Kingsburg have shared a competition of spirit that extends far beyond just the football field. Rivalry Week is a celebration of school pride and the unity that makes being a Bear something special. Rivalry Week is more than just dress-up themes and a game, it’s a reminder of the pride we carry for our school and the community that stands behind it.
This year’s Rivalry Week, held October 27th through the 31st, brought an impressive surge of enthusiasm across campus. Each day held its own theme, encouraging students to show their creativity and support leading up to Friday’s big game against Kingsburg.
The week kicked off with an all-black theme, symbolizing Selma’s determination to “black out” the Vikings. The halls of Selma High were crowded with black clothing as students united for a dramatic start to the festivities.
On Tuesday, the bears went full camo to represent the strength and strategy behind Selma’s spirit. Students were seen wearing stylish camouflage sweaters and pants. The idea was clear: Vikings are “easy prey,” and Selma showed up ready.
One of the most popular days of the week, Wednesday, allows students to swap their backpacks for anything creative. Students filled the campus with imaginative and humorous substitutes.
As game day approached, Thursday brought a cozy change of energy with Pajama Day. Students wore matching sets, fluffy pajamas, and even blankets as they “rested up” for the big Friday showdown. The relaxed theme created a moment of calm before the intensity of Friday’s spirit.
With Halloween approaching, Friday’s theme encouraged students to wear fun, school-appropriate costumes to hype up the final day of Rivalry Week. From silly characters to creative costumes, Selma High embraced the spirit of both Halloween and the rivalry.
Leadership student Zulay Trejo shared how meaningful Rivalry Week felt.
“I think we did an amazing job preparing for Rivalry Week. I’m very proud of my fellow Leadership peers who played a significant role in this important week. It shows how we can connect as a school,” Trejo shared.
As the week went on, Selma High also hosted daily lunchtime activities that added even more excitement to the campus. Each day offered something new for students to participate in, starting with Pumpkin Scratch Art on Monday, which brought out everyone’s creativity. Tuesday’s Lotería, known as the Spanish adaptation of Bingo, consisted of students gathering around tables to shout out cards. On Wednesday, students were able to make their own bracelets, a calm but fun break that filled the quad with colorful strings and beads. Thursday’s “Human Slot Machine” consisted of a student attempting to receive a fruit three times in a row, creating lots of laughter.
Rivalry Week ended on a high note with Friday’s annual Costume Contest, held during lunch in the quad. The contest brought an energetic Halloween atmosphere to campus and gave everyone a chance to show off their creativity before the big game.
Friday night brought the long-awaited football rivalry game between Selma and Kingsburg. Although Selma ultimately fell short on the scoreboard with a score of 51-0, the energy from the stands, the student section, and the team’s hard work were all memorable. The Bears played with grit, determination, and heart. These qualities can’t be measured by points alone.
Michelle Vang also had some words of encouragement to share with the Bears.
“Although we didn’t win, we did our best and that’s what counts. It’s not about the game but about being there to support our community and making memories,” Vang expressed.
While the final score wasn’t in Selma’s favor, Rivalry Week 2025 was a powerful reminder of what truly matters.
Selma High proved that unity beats rivalry, that pride beats defeat, and that the Bears’ strength comes from their community, not the scoreboard. Rivalry Week showcased the creativity, enthusiasm, and heart of our students. Win or lose, the Bears showed up.
