There is such a thing as being in a show, and then there is, quite literally, being IN a show. For the 2014 Camp Starlight Olympic break, campers and staff found out what it is like to be transported into the middle of a musical. “Wildcat” spirit began building during the staff production of High School Musical in the Starlight Playhouse, but when everyone exited the Playhouse to be greeted by buses adorned with banners and waiting to transport them to the championship basketball game that concludes High School Musical, the excitement reached fever pitch.

The anticipation grew as the buses passed well-wishers who lined the roads holding signs wishing the team luck, and campers cheered and waved out the windows as they passed. This was DEFINITELY going to be their day to win!

The team had already started warming up, and cheerleaders were front and center, ready to rally the crowd when the buses pulled up. The spirit emanating from the school gymnasium could have filled an entire stadium as the crowd stood in the stands, cheering and singing “We’re All in This Together.” This was going to be the championship game to end all games. Finally, just as the cheering reached a high pitched hum, whistles blew and referees David and Allison Miller appeared on the court to officiate the game. As the players gathered center court in preparation of starting the big game, the lights went out, and the players removed their warm-up jackets to reveal OLYMPICS spelled out on their jerseys.

As magical as the journey into the world of High School Musical had been for the entire camp, the Wildcats were about to get a taste of what it’s like to be part of the Camp Starlight world.  The cheerleaders flipped their signs to reveal the 2014 team names: Epic Whites and Blue Invaders, and even a game winning 3 point shot in the final seconds of the NBA finals couldn’t have generated as much celebration and energy that erupted at that moment.

It took several minutes for the cheering to die down enough for the 2014 Generals and Sing Leaders to be announced. Once theywere, the sounds were deafening once again. Blue Generals Tana Mcclven and Matt Perlman and White Generals Hayley Miller and Alex Bright joined Sing Leaders Jason Silberman and Hannah Pereira of the Blue and Rachel Simon and Rico Reillo of white in assuming leadership of their teams. “W” may stand for “Wildcats” in the world of High School Musical. But in the world of Camp Starlight Olympic breaks, “W” stands for “WIN!”