For months, the sophomore Student Council brainstormed spirit week ideas with a goal of figuring out several prospective themes. After all ideas were cast, there was only one thing left to do: take a popular vote. Student council members walked into Sophomore CavBlocks to conduct a survey for several predetermined themes, but they walked out with a surprising write-in winner: Despicable Me.

Every year, each class chooses a theme, usually a reference to pop culture. During Spirit Week, the classes compete to create spirit-relevant skits based on these themes, generally relying on humor to pry the audience’s minds away from the crowding and stifling heat of the gymnasium. This year, Sophomore Student Council had until Feb. 19 to throw together a Despicable Me trailer and until Feb. 23 to create the entire skit.

Many members of the council were concerned about the potential reception of the theme, considering its silliness and general overuse. “I was a little worried about how much participation we’re gonna get,” said sophomore Class President Josh Ide.

First, the skit was written in one late-night session by council member Lily Coady ‘20, though she was assisted by several friends. “[The writing process took about] an hour, an hour and a half,” she said.

Casting the skit, however, was a bit more difficult. Coady took on the role of impromptu director and casting agent, helped out by fellow student council members. “There were a lot of minions who dropped out,” Coady said. “We [also] needed to find a Gru, and cycled through several people.”

Several sophomores known for comedic affiliations and/or good impressions of Steve Carell were offered the role, but most were traveling to Europe or Costa Rica with conflicting school trips. Finally, after considering several actors, student council chose Abby Tighe ‘20, who was selected the Monday before the skit.

The process of filming the trailer was just as chaotic. The short video depicts a minion chasing a banana, the latter played by Ide, through the forest. There are several visual and audio gags throughout, and it’s a fairly amusing watch. “The idea took [only] a minute to come up with,” said Coady, who acted as camerawoman.

The trailer was well-received, and set students buzzing in anticipation for the sophomore skit: but would it have the same comedic energy or fall flat? Several teachers were amused as well. “I can’t say I fully understood [the trailer], but I think it’s a generational thing. I think I’m too old for it,” said sophomore student council advisor Victoria Milette.

Spirit week is infamously difficult for student council members and participating students, often combining end-of-unit tests with several hours of skit and poster production. “It’s the most stressful part of the year,” said Ide. “I spent 15 hours after school setting everything up this week.”

Despite the stress, however, students on student council don’t regret their extracurricular choice. “[Being class president] is fun. I like doing things for our class and planning fundraisers,” Ide said.

Overall, the sophomore student skit, though chaos to plan, was on track to excellent student and teacher response. Even though the topic, Despicable Me, seemed at first too overused to be engaging, they managed to make it work. Coady said the day before the skit’s debut that although she was originally worried about the reception of the theme, she was hoping for second place, “because the seniors win every year.”

Indeed, when Feb. 23 finally came, the sophomore skit was a success. Coady’s prediction was correct: through absolute disarray and a questionable theme, the skit emerged in second place. First place, of course, went to the seniors.