Game-day pep rallies are a football season highlight, enjoyed by faculty and students alike. They are usually hosted in the Van Es Arena during advisory time and are action-packed and filled to the brim with music from the band, student-led activities, and performances by the cheerleaders. The October 31st pep rally was unique and extra special because it was on both Halloween and senior night for the fall athletes.

“I think it went really well, especially since it was Halloween and it’s our senior night and our last home game. Everyone was really happy,” junior Gizelle Segura said.

Students were allowed to dress in Halloween costumes both during the school day and the pep rally, and it was the theme for the football game. This small but meaningful addition added to the atmosphere of the pep rally and the game.

“Everyone dressing up at the game made it even more electric and goofy. It was fun to see the people who went all out and really got into the theme. It made it more exciting and used more creativity than some of the other themes,” sophomore Ivey Dunn said.

Faculty and students alike enjoy spectating game day pep rallies, watching the cheerleaders, football players, and coaches, who are the focus and performers.

“Today we did our game day routine. We usually do some cheers. Coach Grove usually talks, and we usually play a couple of games versus the houses,” Segura said.

Additional pep rally activities include games that often involve day and boarding students from each house competing against each other for RUMPUS or Centennial Cup points, or simply for bragging rights. The games on Friday were both creative and Halloween-themed to add a twist.

“My game today was covering up someone with tissue papers and making them into a mummy,” senior Makayla Edorhe said. “I was covering the legs of the mummy, and two others were covering the body and the head,”

The games are short and sweet, but a great opportunity for students to put themselves out there and try something new and different. 

“My dorm leaders asked if I wanted to participate, and I decided it might be a fun opportunity,” sophomore Alex Childers said.

Furthermore, the games may be entertaining, light-hearted, and competitive on the surface, but participants often view them as bonding moments with people within their household.

“We did really good. I think everyone did what they’re supposed to do, and everyone was a team player at the end,” Edhore said.