Hailed as “the greatest night to be a Monarch,” Archbishop Mitty’s Monarch Madness stands as the ultimate showcase of Monarch pride and spirit. Arduous preparation takes place to guarantee the success of such a grand event, but at its heart is a tradition of collaboration and community that has shaped Monarch Madness into the event it is today.

Since its 1992 debut in the Fien Gym, Monarch Madness has been a cornerstone of Mitty spirit. Inspired by ‘Fantastics,’ a spirited event at a local high school, its overwhelming success led to its establishment as an annual tradition. In 2000, to accommodate its growing audience, the event was moved to the San Jose Civic Center, where it has been held ever since. This venue change also allowed parents to attend Monarch Madness and experience firsthand the unity and energy of the Monarch community.

However, despite these changes, many aspects of the planning and execution of the event have remained the same. Every year, the Monarch Madness season begins in the Sobrato Student Life Center, where student government members gather to prepare and plan. They discuss which activities to include, introducing new games while keeping a few from past years. Since each class rotates through different games, students eagerly anticipate their turn in future years. Director of Student Activities Mr. Walker explains that this excitement keeps Monarch Madness an engaging and unique experience every year.

Furthermore, over the years, collaboration and communication have become essential to the event’s success, as students across all four classes dedicate hundreds of hours of rehearsal and preparation spanning nearly three months. Despite the challenges of putting on such an elaborate event, Mitty has remained faithful to keeping this tradition alive. One notable challenge arose during distance learning when students were unable to experience Monarch Madness in person. However, despite these barriers, students and staff found a way to adapt—transforming the event into a movie. An immense amount of coordination and communication was required for such a feat, as the games were individually scheduled and filmed over two weeks. The result fostered a sense of community despite physical distance, thus highlighting the spirit of Monarch Madness.

Since its inception in 1992, Monarch Madness has been lauded as “the crowning jewel” of Mitty’s spirit, as described by Mr. Walker. The event immerses the student body in a wave of class and school pride. While competition runs high among classes, the event ultimately unites students, faculty, parents, alumni, and the greater Monarch community. As such, Junior and ASB Spirit Commissioner Braden Clements reflects on the spirit of Monarch Madness, calling it “the greatest night to be around Monarchs.”