Topeka students mark spirit week with Kansas City Chiefs and Taylor Swift apparel

McClure Elementary School students were encouraged Tuesday to dress in Kansas City Chiefs or Taylor Swift apparel.

Many did both.

Third-grader Millie Gerrish wore bows in her hair like those worn by the pop star Swift and a shirt featuring the logo of the Chiefs, who play the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday in Super Bowl LVIII.

Fourth-grader Evelynn Hanes wore a Chiefs shirt adorned on back by the phrase "Love Story 87," referring to the romance between Swift and Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, who wears number 87.

Fourth-grader Chayce White wore a headband similar to the one worn by Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes and a Chiefs shirt — created by his mother, Mandi White — highlighting Kelce's uniform number, 87, and Swift's favorite number, 13.

Chayce said he hopes the Chiefs win Sunday but if they lose, "At least they made it into the Super Bowl."

Students were urged to dress as Chiefs or in 'Swiftie apparel'

Millie, Evelynn and Chayce were among participants in Tuesday's observance of "In My Chiefs Era Tuesday" at McClure School, 2529 S.W. Chelsea Drive.

The school encouraged students on its website to "dress up as your favorite Chiefs player or wear your favorite Swiftie apparel."

The "Chiefs Era" phrase jokingly refers to how Swift's career has involved various different eras in terms of her recordings and performances. She's currently on her "Eras" concert tour.

Topeka USD 501 observes Chiefs Spirit Week

Tuesday's observance was part of Chiefs Spirit Week, which is being celebrated by Topeka USD 501.

The district, for several years, has used a Kansas City Chiefs theme to energize and inspire students as they prepare for upcoming annual testing, which superintendent Tiffany Anderson calls "the Super Bowl of Learning."

The Chiefs-related fun has "amped up" since the team became a regular Super Bowl participant, Anderson told The Capital-Journal last year. Sunday will mark the fourth time in five years that the Chiefs have played in the Super Bowl, which they won in 2020 and 2023.

McClure principal Chelsea Artzer said Tuesday she's been around long enough to realize that historically, the Chiefs haven't gone to the Super Bowl every year.

This week's activities give those at McClure a chance to celebrate the success the Chiefs are having and "infuse some joy" into their day-to-day lives, she said.

Schools celebrating with themed days all week

Various USD 501 schools this week are enjoying the same events McClure is holding, Artzer said.

She said the school started by celebrating "Mahomes Mania Monday," with students being encouraged to wear a headband, hat or mohawk.

After observing "In My Chiefs Era" Tuesday, McClure students took part in "Wake Up & Win Wednesday," in which they were encouraged to come to school wearing sweats or pajamas.

Thursday was to be "Throwback Thursday," with students being encouraged to wear band T-shirts or 1980s-era clothing, while students will then wear red on "Red Friday."

Contact Tim Hrenchir at threnchir@gannett.com or 785-213-5934.

This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Topeka students show Super Bowl spirit with Chiefs, Taylor Swift gear