School spirit went through the roof at Wareham Middle School on Friday, April 9 for the Fifth Annual Staff Versus Renaissance Basketball Game.

The Renaissance program encourages students to strive for academic excellence, be positive role models, and requires them to perform at least 25 hours of community service during the school year, said Renaissance coordinator Jennifer Drinkwater.

If students meet those goals, they get to go on an all-expense-paid trip at the end of the year. The basketball game was a fundraiser for this year's trip. Students will visit Canobie Lake Park in New Hampshire.

Renaissance students wore t-shirts in one of three colors to signify their middle school academic "house:" Red for Douglass House; blue for Nobel; and green for Franklin.

Their classmates filled the gym, sitting in pre-decorated bleachers designated for each house. Students were dressed from head to toe in their house color. Some even accessorized with big colorful hats and glasses. Others painted their faces or dyed their hair to match the color of their house.

Trophies and bragging rights were awarded to the most spirited male, female, and house, chosen by former teacher Patricia Cullen, to whom the gym was dedicated last year.

Renaissance students worked together to sink baskets (with a little help from custodian Jimmy Couto, who switched teams during the game.) In the end, the score was an impressive 45 to 45.