Elizabeth Carroll – 10
Every year there are certain traditions in the school that students participate in and one of these things is the pep rallies. This year, instead of the usual fall pep rally, Mr. Kline, Mr. Gual, and STUCO decided to organize a Fall Festival in place of it which took longer to put together, according to Mr. Kline.
This idea came about during mid-summer and was seen as another opportunity to incorporate the set-up or style of May Day and break the repetitive cycle of pep rallies, to switch it up after so long. Mr Kline stated, “If there is positive feedback from the students, then this may become an every year event.” This took longer to set-up for all the clubs involved but there was plenty of time to make sure it was all planned beforehand.
Sophomore, Hunter Jennings, was one of the many students who enjoyed this year’s Fall Fest over the pep rally last year. He says, “It was more fun since there was more interaction and we were able to walk and talk with our friends.” This is a contrast to the pep rallies where the students sit by grade level and watch their peers and teachers play different games or activities. It is an entertaining way to start the year off on something fun.
However, Lydia Fultz, another sophomore, is against the idea of it being every year and didn’t think it replaced the usual tradition as well as it could have. She says, “Fall Fest was too chaotic and the pep rallies bring students together more.” She believes that pep rallies are more entertaining in general with the activities and different things that take place for everyone to watch. She prefers when everyone was brought together and she was able to have fun rather than stay at one of the stands the whole time.
It is meant to be fun for everybody involved and to support the clubs. Students’ opinions matter greatly in what happens in the years to come with the way pep rallies or a mini festival is organized or decided on. Everyone’s voice counts here at HAHS and everyone is encouraged to make suggestions to STUCO, Mr. Kline, or Mr. Gaul
