Superstitions at Samo: Huddles and Handshakes

Amancai Biraben and Mia Lopez-ZubiriStaff WritersThe idea of luck is important to many Samo teams, clubs and orginizations.Senior Gabriel Freeman has participated in theater since his freshman year. While many believe saying “good luck” will bring, well, good luck, Freeman says that quite the opposite will occur in the world of theater.“You do not wish someone ‘good luck’. It’s just not done. It kind of jinxes it,” Freeman said.Instead, Freeman says that thespians tell each other to “break a leg” before a performance.However, not every luck ritual is universal. Jaryd Dorsey, Samo sophomore and member of the boys’ varsity soccer team says that he irons all of his soccer clothes for good luck before playing a game. According to Dorsey, if he doesn’t iron his clothes he feels uncomfortable and unprofessional, which puts him in a negative mindset before the game even starts. However, when he wears his crisp uniform, Dorsey is ready to take onhe opposing team.“It makes me feel confident in my performance, like I’ll have a better game,” Dorsey said.Senior Imani Barton, Gold Captain of Samo’s varsity cheerleading squad says that she has both personal and team-wide traditions. First, Barton says that the team prepares for competitions by singing songs on the bus rides over. Then, before performing their routine, the team has a customary huddle, followed by each stunt group’s lucky handshake. Personally, Barton also prays in order to bring out her best.“It definitely, definitely gives me a positive outlook,” Barton said.In the flute section of Samo’s marching band, the musicians believe in “the pinky kiss.” Right before a competition or football game, every member of the flute section will make a fist and connect just their pinkie finger with the person next to them, and then kiss their fist and pass it on.“The pinkie kiss changes the confidence I have in myself,” said flute section member Sara Arvesen.Although luck is based purely in superstition instead of scientific fact, don’t expect to see a dropin lucky action anytime soon. After all, even without solid proof, adding a lucky handshake to a pre-game ritual can’t hurt.abiraben@thesamohi.commlopez-zubiri@thesamohi.com