Pep Rallies Serve Purpose

by Logan Ferrell

As the week draws to a close, and the events of Wednesday become purely memory, the school finds itself again in an unsettled post pep-rally frame of mind. This year, as almost every year before, when the cheering fades, the grumblings of a dissatisfied few begin to grow louder and more unanimous. So, what is there to say to this group, who feels that pep rallies in their current state, may be either unnecessary or detrimental to the school and student body? That response must surely be the decision of each individual. As for myself, the idealistic goal of pep rallies, to bond the school in a common and competitive spirit, remains a symbol of tradition for the school itself.

The pep rally, as it is today, remains one of the few outlets for raw emotion in our hectic, academic environment; it harnesses that emotion as support for a common interest. What may seem like just an hour of cheering and chanting, in reality is the fulfillment of the students’ role in the sports arena. Even if one doesn’t play for the team, for this one moment, he is a part of their success, cheering them to an eventual victory.

This opportunity, to provide support and acknowledge the achievements of our athletes, forms the inherent link between player and athlete. It unites the two under a common banner; not some athletes and some not, but rather all proud Green Dragons.

That said, there remains some who would argue; that the pep rally event is not a unifying event at all, but rather a widening of the rift between classes. Sadly, there will always be a select few who indeed take their grade spirit too far, and use it in inappropriate ways; but the tradition cannot be spoiled by a destructive handful. Indeed, the competition between classes is always aimed at producing more positive spirit that hurt feelings.

While the freshmen and sophomores may squabble over the assigned colors of their shirt, at the end of the day, they are cheering for the same team, regardless of who cheers louder.

These healthy rivalries, when exposed, act not only as an outlet for spirit but also as an equalizing factor. Where else in day-to-day school life, does a freshmen have the power to challenge the superiority of a senior? So, to answer those already disgruntled, the class competition of pep rallies, is simply another way to unify the student body in a common spirit and goal.

In the days after a rally, the spirit begins to wear off somewhat, it is true. Some may return to a disinterested ignorance of sports, and many will return to bickering for personal interests.

However, we must not forget, that for one hour, on one day; those personal qualms were shed for the spirit, which unifies us as students. That is what a pep rally is truly about.