With an intense cheer and dance performance, a fierce three-legged race that included students and staff members, entertaining musical performances by the choir and marching band, and countless more events, the pep rally helped to get the Raiders pumped up for thehomecoming game to come.
Student council president Ansh Argarwal, a key organizer of the event, described overall contentment with the event. “I do believe it went smoother than last year. I would like to get the crowd a little bit more involved, but we’re still thinking of ways to do that,” he said.
“The experience was great. I love being able to plan something that the whole school gets to be a part of,” said Mrs. Caryn Brogan, the student council advisor who helped arrange the rally.
The events of the rally to entertain and pump up the crowd included musical acts like the choir performing the national anthem and the band performing a preview of this year’s show. To represent the sports teams, the girls varsity played a lively scrimmage against the unified soccer team made up of general and special education students. The boys soccer team shot dizzy penalty shots while the girls gymnastics team performed a series of routines, the boys and girls cross country ran dizzy bat relay races, the girls tennis strongly hit balls into the stands, while the girls volleyball team hit dizzy serves. The girls field hockey team shot goals with drunk driving goggles on, bringing attention to the dangers of driving under the influence.
Other events included the competitive three-legged race which seniors won, earning them spirit points. Countless shout-outs to multiple clubs were also made throughout the event. The announcing of the homecoming court also took place; the winners included Dylan Clerico and Rayah Rashadi (freshman), Owen Miller and Sophia Rollan (sophomore), and Paige Hill and Andrew Lodato (junior). The senior couples included Xander Borowski and Veronica Stefanczuk, Lauren Loniewski and Jason Williams, Matt Marchetti and Caroline Coakkey, and the official king and queen, crowned at the game later that night, were Liam Kennedy and Sydney Krempasky. The dance and cheer team also performed a spirited routine, when the football team participated in a two-hand touch football game.
Students also shared their perspectives on the event. Freshman Valentina Acuna said, “The pep rally was fun, but I would have enjoyed it more if the crowd had more opportunities to engage in the activities.”
Likewise, sophomore Ryan Lacambra stated, “It should be more interactive with the crowd.”
Senior soccer player Andrew Zarate, agreed with the need for more participation, saying, “It was alright.”
However, junior Vivian Wasserman shared a more positive experience. “It was fun, and I liked the music,” she said.
Student council will be organizing the third annual pep rally for the students of HHS in 2025.
