An elementary spirit day is getting kids to talk about college with an age-old state tradition, Apple Cup rivalry.

The Challenger Elementary lunchroom was speckled with red and purple jerseys, as kids rallied for either the University of Washington or Washington State.

“It gets them talking with their parents about school,” said Nona Wright, interim principal at Challenger Elementary.

The Apple Cup is planned for this Saturday.

The spirit day admittedly started as a way to stir school spirit, but it represents something a little bit more for some kids.

Husky purple was an easy choice, said 7-year-old Emily Chin. “My dad went to UW, and my dad always wants me to dress up as a husky.”

The auspicious student is already talking about college with her parents, and hopes to someday attend UW.

Without an alumni parent from either school, the decision wasn’t so easy for 8-year-old Amber Beeks. She decided split herself down the line with half a purple shirt duct taped to a crimson one.

Her hope was to spur on a competition between classes by contributing to her own.

Teachers joined in the fun with sweat shirts, pajama pants and beads.

“It’s a friendly competition for the staff too,” Wright said. “They love it.”