Go Orange: Perry Hall Elementary Takes On The O's Challenge
PERRY HALL, Md. (WJZ)--The Orioles are flying high after another extra-inning victory on the West Coast. The team moves into the top wild card spot after its win over the Seattle Mariners in 11 innings. This late-season surge is bringing Orioles fever to a new level.
Gigi Barnett explains how the team is bringing its youngest fans into the excitement.
Everything at Perry Hall Elementary in Baltimore County is decked out in black and orange. The windows, the yard, even the students have caught the Orioles magic.
"We've never had this before. I've never seen this many people. I mean it's crazy," said Mason Wood, Perry Hall Elementary School student.
Last week, the team sent out a challenge to schools across the state to "Go Orange." The school with the most spirit receives a visit next week from an Orioles player and the bird himself.
View Slideshow: Orioles Fans Go Orange!
Perry Hall Elementary jumped in on the contest. Teachers even changed some of their lessons to support the O's.
"We took some of the Orioles statistics and we used them in math problems. Some of our students in fourth grade wrote stories about them hitting a home run like the Orioles," said Donna Bergin, Perry Hall Elementary principal.
The last time Perry Hall students saw this kind of O's magic was:
"The last time they got this far, well . . . last time they got this far," said Christina Watkins, Perry Hall Elementary student. "I don't remember because . . ."
Gigi: "You weren't alive, were you?"
Christina: "I don't know."
Nope. She wasn't. It was more than a dozen years ago.
But students say just because they weren't around to celebrate the O's appearance in the playoffs back then, doesn't mean they can't go orange now.
"I always have confidence, and sometimes it's a little bit less and a little bit more. But now it's way up," said Matthew May, Perry Hall Elementary student.
All of the schools that participate will be judged in three categories: overall creativity, most school spirit and the best use of orange.
The winning school will be announced next Thursday. The weekend after that is fan appreciation week.
That winning school will receive an award before the Orioles play its final season home game next weekend.
