Pep rally pumps up Trojan pride
The senior class throwing confetti into the air while chanting “THS! I love it, I love it, I love it!”
After a day where desk chairs were filled with glitter and hallways were littered with boa feathers and strands of tulle, students were ready to squeal, scream, and stomp during the much anticipated pep rally.
The pep rally culminatied a week of spirit filled days coordinated by the varsity cheerleaders and coach Olivia McCraw. Following activities including a dance routine by the varsity football team, class tug-o-war, and the crowning of two teachers as Homecoming Prince and Princess, the spirit stick was won by the senior class.
“The pep rally was lit. School spirit was as strong as it has ever been. There was no competition for the spirit stick,” said senior Octavious Morton.
Cheerleaders dismissed the classrooms by chanting cheers throughout the hallways and students were greeted in the gym with the band playing. Mini-mascots Clara Mills and Brodie Buchanan were a part of the parade of Trojans down the hall. The fight song was performed and all fall athletes and band members were recognized.
After escorting the senior boys to the floor, the varsity boys and cheerleaders performed a mash-up dance dance routine that included songs such as “Ice, Ice Baby” and “Fergalicious”. The cheerleaders then booted the boys off the court to take center stage for their own dance routine.
“The dance was fun. My favorite part was the atmosphere of the pep rally. It gets me pumped for the game,” said senior Sage McBride.
The JV cheerleaders also performed during the pep rally and impressed the crowd with their quick footwork.
Quite possibly the highlight of the rally for the students were the eggs smashed on the heads of Principal Brian Boles and Assistant Principal Kirsten Harper. A dozen eggs were placed in a carton with 8 hard-boiled and 4 raw. Each principal took turns smashing the eggs on each other’s heads. Mrs. Harper was very prepared with a rain poncho and shower cap and Mr. Boles was the first victim.
Sophomore Nia Green was able to smash the eggs on Mrs. Harper’s head. Despite only one of three eggs being raw, Nia said, “It felt good. It felt so good!”
All spirit week winners were recognized and awarded prizes. Holland Dalton and Jake Lee were recognized by the cheerleaders as being the most spirited all week. Holland went all out each day especially on Disney Day as Cruella De Vil while Jake’s Mad Hatter costume and house dress pajamas made the biggest impression.
Senior Jake Lee sweated the hour away in the Trojan costume he has been wearing since sophomore year. Showing school spirit is something Jake loves to do. “I guess I just love this place so much. I can’t get enough of it. I am so sad it is my last one,” said Lee.
The entire school rose to their feet when Mrs. Yeatts was honored as the Queen of Troy. Mrs. Yeatts, clad in her floor length gown, crowned the Prince and Princess of Troy with Burger King crowns.
Teachers were in friendly competition for homecoming court prince and princess and Mr. Daniel Tittiris and Lisa Baynes were crowned during the pep rally. All week during lunches cheerleaders went around with cups so students can vote for Prince and Princess.
Other nominees for this year’s Princes were Dave Bandy, Mark Bandy, Mark Austin, Adam Louhoff, and Matt Shelton. The Princess nominees were as follows: Jessica Jones, Tara Mills, Jennifer Watson, Shannon Calloway, Trisha Buchanan, Kendra Hardy, and Olivia McCraw.
Combined with the money made from $1 donations from students who wore hats each day, homecoming week raised over $700 for breast cancer research and awareness.
The pep rally concluded with the spirit stick competition where each class screamed and chanted individual cheers until it came down between the juniors and the seniors. The seniors prevailed as the most spirited class.
Cheerleading coach Olivia McCraw was impressed with her team’s performance. “We had a little technical difficulties, but I’m really proud of my girls and the varsity football players have been very helpful. So much went into this!” said McCraw.
“My senior cheerleaders were here until 9pm every night this week. We wanted to make sure that everything was perfect.”
Homecoming week will wrap-up Friday night at the varsity football game versus Martinsville at 7pm.
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Abby Scarce is a senior and this is her second year on the newspaper staff. Last year, Abby was recognized by the Best of SNO for her opinion article,...
Anna Brooks is a senior at Tunstall High School and this is her second year as a writer for the Trojan Messenger. Currently, she spends two-fourths of...
