The sophomore section cheers together during the Jan. 20 pep rally in the Clarke Central High School Competition Gym. According to senior and Student Government Association President Makenna Mincey, the energy of the crowd impacted the performers and her. “Big crowds get me hyped,” Mincey said. “So hearing everybody be excited (about) it and having people come up to me and tell me how excited they were for the pep rally. I think it really energized me because I have been dog-tired all week. But when I got them here and I saw how happy everybody was, I think that was really what gave me the energy to do what I did.” Photo by Aza Khan, caption by Audrey St.Onge
For the first time since the 2019-2020 academic year, the CCHS Student Government Association held a pep rally in the Competition Gym to celebrate student-athletes.
Pounding music can be heard outside the Clarke Central High School Competition Gym on Jan. 20 as students of all grades fill the bleachers. The energy is electric as students eagerly await the first pep rally since the 2019-2020 school year, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The event was organized by the Student Government Association to celebrate student-athletes and create hype among the student body for the Jan. 21 Clarke Central vs. Cedar Shoals varsity girls and boys basketball game.
According to Senior Class President Makenna Mincey, the SGA worked to organize the rally and hopes it creates excitement in students for the upcoming sports season.
“(The SGA) has been planning this pep rally for months. A lot of it was just getting all of our ideas out on paper, getting those approved through our advisor, then eventually taking those ideas all the way up to Dr. (Swade) Huff,” Mincey said. “Going through this week, (we have been) really getting all of the fine details hammered out (and) getting volunteers, but eventually, we got it all together.”
Clarke Central High School senior and CCHS football and basketball cheer team captain A’Lorie Gillespie sits in the CCHS Competition Gym after the Jan. 20 pep rally. Gillespie felt that the event was a success compared to the last pep rally, held during the 2019-2020 academic year. “I feel like (there) was a little bit more participation (than last time). Not a lot of people really participated at the last (pep rally), so that was (an improvement),” Gillespie said. “Having stuff like this to uplift our sports team and the school really helps the outside community as well. By seeing this, it can encourage people to come support (our school).” Photo and caption by Maya Shrivastav
With musical chairs, tug-of-war, “Hungry Human Hippos,” teacher lip-synch battles and a cheer routine, this event would not have been possible without the support and hard work of many.
“The goal is to not disappoint,” CCHS cheerleader Dalia Daniel said. “We’re trying to be crisp and clean with our performance. We’re not trying to get any (negative) feedback. We’re just trying to be amazing because we’re trying to be the cleanest team out there.”
According to junior Anahi Rodriguez, the energy of the event was high, and it had CCHS students excited in the lead-up.
“I think it’s very hyped because ever since the music started playing (and) everyone came in, they were all excited and jumping and stuff, like they were already excited about it before it even started,” Rodriguez said.
“I think it’s very hyped because ever since the music started playing (and) everyone came in, they were all excited and jumping and stuff, like they were already excited about it before it even started.”
— Anahi Rodriguez,
junior
With an excited crowd, English department teacher Brian Ash felt the event was well done compared to past pep rallies.
“(This was) much better organized and student-led. There’s some really good students who are leading, keeping it organized and flowing. And they have really good activities,” Ash said.
The time and effort of the SGA created a well-received event that left students invigorated and excited for the coming sports season.
“I think people are (excited), if not for the game, (then) just for spirit in their school, and that’s really what we want to do. We want all of our students to be encouraged, we want them to take pride in our school and everything that we’re doing,” Mincey said.
From Dr. Lowe:
Thanks to the detailed planning and advocacy on the part of two of our scholar-athletes/SGA members, McKenna Ezekiel and Makenna Mincey, as well as the support of Dr. Huff, we will be having a CCHS Pep Rally to lead us into the Clarke Central vs. Cedar Shoals basketball game this weekend. There will be more detailed information coming as we finalize the schedule, but I am including the skeleton plan for your planning purposes. Please see below.
Pep Rally Agenda
Winter 2023- Jan.20th @ 2:15
Place: New Gym
2 Hosts: Makenna Mincey & McKenna Ezekiel “First Half”
(1 min) Welcome to our Gladiator Pep rally of 2023! It’s Rivalry Night in Death Valley, so let’s get hype! (pause for commotion). To start off we would like to Introduce our Student Government Association Officers for 2022-23. ( Everyone gets introduced and then Top Off Starts Playing )
Please stand or remain standing for the National Anthem. Our flag today is being presented by JROTC and the National Anthem is being played by DJ Magic.
(3 minutes) National Anthem/ DJ Magic; Freestyle by Lil Baby Comes On
Now, Clarke Central, do you have spirit? Let’s hear it!
(3-5 minutes) Please help us recognize our fall sports teams!
Coaches as I call your name please come out so you can be recognized. To those who are a part of these Fall sports, you may stand up and then be seated.
Softball with Coach Lance
Cross Country with Coach Cascio
Volleyball with Coach Scott
Football with Coach Perno
Cheerleading with Coach Mac
Flag Football with Coach Pass
(4 minutes) “Musical Chairs” This will either be for all fall sports participants. (Game Volunteers: Jordan Wyatt & Natalie Soper, Set Up – Bird Smith, Grace Kee, all volunteers clean up)
8 participants:
Kamaya Stephens
A’Lorie Gillespie
Flag Football
Taylor Thrasher
Football
Dailen Howard
Jaylon Stone
Bartez Gillespie Jr.
Volleyball
Sadie Eubanks
Giana Bermudez
(5 minutes) “Tug of War Game” (Everyone) There will be a game for the guys and a game for the girls. We will need six volunteers from each level. Whoever team wins will go on to the next round. ( 2 rounds ) (Volunteers : Caroline Orbock and Oliver Cederbaum)
Freshmen v. Sophmores
Juniors v. Seniors
Winners face off
(5 minutes) “Battle of The Year” Each grade level sings a song and whoever sings the loudest wins
SONGS:
Freshman: The Bigger Picture by Lil Baby, Hotel Lobby by Unc and Phew
Sophomore: Pushin P by Gunna, Levitate by Dua Lipa
Juniors: Way to Sexy by Future featuring Drake, , Party In The USA by Miley Cyrus
Seniors: Life is Good by Future featuring Drake, Preach by Young Dolph
2 Hosts: Clayton & Tristan “Second Half”
(3-5 minutes) Please help us recognize our Winter sports teams!
Coaches, as I call your name please come out so you can be recognized. To those who are a part of these Winter sports, you may stand up and then be seated.
Wrestling with Coach McCord & Coach Edwards
Girls’ Basketball with Coach Johson
Boys’ Basketball with Coach Smith
Basketball Cheer with Coach Jewell
Swimming and Diving with Coach Hulse
(4 minutes) “Hungry Human Hippos” We will need eight volunteers from each level ( two from each ). They are partnered up and play the game. (Bird Smith, Grace Kee, Jordan Wyatt, Natalie Soper – Set Up, all volunteers clean up)
– Freshman ( Boy & Girl ) Partnered with a Sophomore ( Boy & Girl )
– Junior ( Boy & Girl ) Partnered with a Senior ( Boy & Girl )
(5 minutes) Lip Sync Battle
Ms. Campbell & Ms. Witcher (BACK-UP : Ms. Nash) represent 9th & 10thGrade (Song: The Boy Is Mine by Monica & Brandy)
Ms. Joiner and Mrs. Crumpton represent 11th Grade (Song: It’s Tricky by: Run DMC)
Ms. Tesler represents 12th grade (Get Low by Lil John)
Introducing Cheerleading: Last but not least, Cheerleaders!!
Everyone, let’s hear it for their performance!
(3 minutes) Let’s hear it for Gladiator Cheerleaders!!
Thank you so much for attending our Winter Sports Pep Rally! Have a good weekend and come see our Gladiators play Cedar Shoals!
