My whole high school career has culminated in this year: being a senior girl. I live for the pink boas, the whistles, the t-shirts and the chanting of “senior girls” through the hallway.

Let me give you some background on myself: I have been going to sleepaway camp for the past nine summers, where spirit comes first, and breathing comes second.

Naturally, by now, the pep and zest are engraved inside me.

Spirit is my way of life. I have buckets of crazy costumes, hats, necklaces, you name it, because come on, you never know when you’re going to need a cowgirl hat.

After learning this, you can probably understand my disappointment as a senior girl when I found out that spirit week this year was only four days long: a day shorter due to the first day of Rosh Hashanah falling on the Thursday before Homecoming.

However, my frustration doesn’t end there.

I became even more annoyed when I found out I might have to miss my final chance to deck out in blue and white for school and cheer “senior girls” at the pep rally.

I observe the second day of Rosh Hashanah, which is the Friday before Homecoming.

Since kindergarten, I have missed a day of school in September or October to celebrate the second day of the Jewish New Year; a day the Westport Public School System does not give off, despite Rosh Hashanah being one of the most important Jewish holidays.

While everyone loved missing a day of elementary school, I think we can all agree that missing one day of high school is no easy feat.

However, in previous years, I have dealt with the extra assignments and tests I have had to make up because observing the holiday is very important to my family.

This year I am not sure if I can deal; I can’t just come to school the next Monday, wearing my senior girl shirt and boa, and “make up” the spirit day and pep rally with all the other students affected by this scheduling.

The administration said that they chose the date of homecoming based on the football game schedule and conflicting dates, basing the decision on when the greatest number of students can attend.

Ultimately, the way spirit week falls out is not a factor in the equation.

So, on Sept. 26, when the rest of the school proudly flaunts blue and white, I will face a decision. Will I put on my boa and put away the prayer book? Or will I hear the shofar and stash my senior girl shirt?

My biggest problem with this whole conflict: this is a decision I simply shouldn’t have to make.