The first pep rally was held on Aug. 29 to celebrate the start of the school year and the first football game of the season. It featured performances from color guard, cheer, Majestics and announcements from the new football captains and coach.
After fall sports were announced and recognized, a competitive class-vs-class game of balancing a pizza box led to the freshmen earning a point for clash of the classes. The sophomores won the second challenge after they made the most noise, moving into a tie for first place. After different groups performed, the pep rally ended with the traditional fight song.
Pep and Spirit Co-Director Will Webster, 11, made sure Leadership went all out with the Hawaiian theme, including decorating the gym with flowers and tropical posters.
“I think the first pep rally, in my opinion, is the most important pep rally of the year, because the goal of pep rallies is to get people hyped up and excited, and I think the tone of the first pep rally can set the tone for the entire year,” Webster said.
Students and staff were encouraged to dress up in leis, tropical patterns or sunglasses to get excited for the pep rally and the upcoming game. This provided an opportunity for people to get involved and boost the spirit, which is important for the environment to feel exhilarating.
“To set the tone, we just make it constant energy. [The] number one pep rally enemy is blank time,” Webster said. “We want people cheering, we want people [performing], we want music. That’s why we’re constantly asking the crowd, ‘Who’s ready?’… The more cheer, the more [noise] and the more pep, is kind of our goal, vibe [and] motto.”
Leadership also aims to get students excited for future events by decorating the halls, planning spirit dress days and announcing upcoming activities at pep rallies.
“I’m really excited for the Homecoming pep rally. I think it’s fun because it takes basic elements of a normal pep rally and mixes them with elements that are a little different, like bring the court [up and] really getting to honor them,” Webster said. “It’s not only cool for the school to get to honor the court but the people on the court to be honored, and that’s kind of fun that we get to be in charge of that and make it happen.”
Pep rallies foster a sense of community throughout Emerson and give students something to look forward to at the end of the day. The first one marked the start of new opportunities and ideas, and students should embrace the new year with enthusiasm!
