By Claire Svetkey :
The annual pep rally is always a fun BHS tradition, and this year was no exception. Senior Emily Kaiser kicked off the event with an excellent rendition of the national anthem. Next, an entertaining skit was used to introduce the student hosts: seniors Tony Zhao, Ally Landry, and Trevor Smith.
Another interesting facet of the pep rally is the recognition of every fall sports team. The captains of all the teams took the floor to talk about the successes of their seasons and to wish the football team luck in the upcoming Thanksgiving Day match against Watertown. This year’s match marks the ninety-ninth annual faceoff between the two teams. Once the captains had celebrated their seasons, the school was given a sample of the varsity cheerleading team’s hard work: the cheerleaders performed their competition routine to a very impressed crowd.
The part of the pep rally that invites the most audience participation is the schoolwide games, in which representatives from each grade compete to bring glory to their respective classes. The first game was musical chairs, with the marching band’s renditions of pop tunes including Taylor Swift’s “I Knew You Were Trouble” serving as the game’s music. Senior George Pomer won the first round after a heated competition; the second round was won by junior Steffen Manjikian, despite the efforts of runner-up Erik Rosenmeier, a senior. The second event, a “dizzy bat relay” in which students spun around until they were dizzy and then ran a relay with a bat as a baton, was won by the junior class, with the seniors taking second place.
The final game was a staff versus students game of knockout, played by two students from each grade in addition to two teachers. The competition was intense, with no clear winner emerging early on. Eventually only three players were left: both of the sophomores and math teacher Mr. Oliwinski. Fan favorite Mr. O., the reigning champion of the event, pulled ahead at the last minute and won the game.
When the games were over, the marching band, which had been providing musical accompaniment to events throughout the pep rally, took the floor and played the music from their field show. Their repertoire, five songs featured in Guardians of the Galaxy, was met with applause from the student body.
At the music’s conclusion, varsity football captains Zach Moss, Tony Zhao, and Johnny Dolan reminded the crowd once again of the Thanksgiving Day match, emphasizing the longevity of the tradition and the importance of supporting Belmont. The marching band underscored the captains’ point about Belmont pride by playing the BHS fight song. After principal Isaac Taylor gave a brief speech telling students to enjoy their Thanksgiving break, the pep rally ended and students were dismissed.
The pep rally was, once again, a fantastic event filled with school spirit.
Best of luck to Belmont in the Thanksgiving football game against Watertown!