Student’s School Spirit Goes Beyond the Badlands

South+OC+Divisional+Manager%2C+Siyona+Shah+%2812%29+helps+lead+Mission+Viejo+High+School%E2%80%99s+student+section+at+their+bright+out+football+game.+Shah%2C+and+the+rest+of+the+OC+Student+Section+team%2C+spent+the+night+filming+videos%2C+taking+photos%2C+and+making+connections+with+Mission+Viejo%E2%80%99s+ASB.+

Photo Courtesy of Siyona Shah

South OC Divisional Manager, Siyona Shah (12) helps lead Mission Viejo High School’s student section at their bright out football game. Shah, and the rest of the OC Student Section team, spent the night filming videos, taking photos, and making connections with Mission Viejo’s ASB.

Most students know OC Student Sections for their activity on social media, however their involvement goes much beyond Instagram stories. Senior Siyona Shah is a big part of their activity this school year, taking on the role of South OC Divisional Manager.   

Sophomore at San Diego State and CEO of OC Student Sections, Chris Holt, began the organization in 2020, hoping to bring together students from all around the county. 

“Normally, we tend to be friends with the students in our own area. So, this was a way to get everyone connected,” said Shah. 

Volunteer students from high schools in Orange County run the organization, choosing a new school to spotlight every Friday night. Schools are chosen through forms they fill out, requesting to be featured that week. Not only do the team members take photos and videos of the games, they also interact with students in ASB, bringing more hype to Friday Night Lights. 

“We take a bunch of pictures, film their student section, and make connections with their ASB students. And we try to exchange ideas to bring back to our own school,” said Shah. 

Shah’s duty as Divisional Manager is to reach out to all the schools in her division and find out what games and events are taking place each week.  

We take a bunch of pictures, film their student section, and make connections with their ASB students. And we try to exchange ideas to bring back to our own school

— Siyona Shah

“I’m basically their point person if they have any questions. After the games, I collect content from all their filmers and ASB and post it,” said Shah. 

As ASB Secretary at San Juan Hills, Shah has lots of experience in bringing school spirit. She was noticed by OC Student Sections last year when she reached out to have SJHHS’ basketball program featured during the peak of their season. 

Soon after, Shah went through an application process, where she was accepted onto the team. OC Student Sections has grown rapidly since then, meeting weekly to discuss how they can make the organization even bigger and better. 

While the organization gained much of its attention from football and basketball season, they are currently working on featuring all kinds of sports and events. 

“This year especially, we want to be able to highlight other sports, now that we’re big enough that there’s actually a bunch of attention from other companies. We want to make sure that all sports get a chance,” said Shah. 

Although it can be a time consuming job, Shah loves being a part of the OC Student Sections team. Not only has she attended several fun events, she has also formed so many new friendships. 

“It’s really fun and I get to meet so many new people, which is so cool,” said Shah.