Spirit weeks, pep rallies, and thrilling football games are all part of the excitement during “Battle of the Axe Week”, a celebrated tradition for the Redhawks and Bengals. This intense rivalry between Westwood and Blythewood High School ignited in 2012 when Westwood opened its doors in the Blythewood area. But Battle of the Axe Week isn’t just about school spirit and athletic prowess; it’s also a spirited competition to see which school can make a greater impact on their community by collecting the most canned goods for the Christian Assistance Bridge in South Carolina.
While the spirit week and football game BOA consists of often overshadows the community aspect of this rivalry week, Redhawks are still informed on this giving matter that takes precedence over a single football game. Student Activities Director, Ms. Ashley Truss, expands on the protocol advertised by Westwood’s Student Council concerning students, staff, and parents wanting to give.
To give their cans/non-perishable items, “[Westwood student and staff] donations are accepted in room 612 or outside of the cafeteria.”
Ms. Truss has also implemented incentives for Redhawks willing to give their canned goods. Redhawks have a chance to get tardies appealed which sometimes results in disciplinary consequences and privileges being revoked.
Kameron Haynie, Sophomore House Vice President, explains that these incentives increase rates of participation among students especially.
In regards to the incentives Kameron, “…it (incentives) gets a lot of people to contribute to the cause and the ‘rivalry’ we have every year creates a fun week.”
While many students follow this protocol for the sole purpose of tradie removal, other Westwood students acknowledge the true value of Westwood’s community service through giving. The true value of the week is to utilize a rivalry in order to provide our community with items that contribute to their well-being.
Junior Secretary, Amaya Williams, states that “Battle of the Axe is about supporting those in need around our community, and that means being a valuable, supportive, and giving member of our community.”
While this act of giving impacts our community in its totality, Westwood is also impacted by this act during BOA week. Many Redhawks voiced that the canned food drive is an opportunity that allows the negative narrative at Westwood to be changed. Collaborating with Blythewood, our appointed rival, embodies what it means to set aside meaningless things for a meaningful cause.
Kameron states that BOA week, “… means a lot because it shows how we as a school can work together with our ‘enemies’ for a greater cause…”
Along with Kameron, Ms. Ashley Truss, a significant figure in the Westwood community and its events, including BOA week. She emphasizes that BOA reinstills the principles and values of Westwood by partaking in a cause such as this.
The BOA week is not a week limited to just a time for increased competition and school spirit, it “ [emphasizes] that Westwood is not just a place for academic and athletic success but also a hub for positive change and community care,” Ms. Truss states.
