Recent Pep Rally Changes: Have They Changed School Spirit?

October 23rd, 2018- Greenville New York Opinion

By Jade Smith

As everyone already knows, Greenville School has made obvious changes recently, including a new library, the change in setting of ALP, and constant construction. But one change that isn’t so obvious, but noticed and felt by many students, is the change in setup of the pep rally. Students look forward to this event every year, but has the excitement decreased since this change?

In the three years prior, the location and time of the pep rally have transitioned from an after-school event outdoors, to an indoor event during 9th period. Currently, our pep rally had commenced with an introduction including some teachers and the sports teams. The students sit on the bleachers along with their class and watch as a select few students participate in games and activities, such as knockout and dodgeball, and usually tug of war. These activities differ from the activities that were available prior to the past 3 years’ pep rally. Activities included things such as bobbing for apples, pie throwing at teachers and football games. Past pep rallies also boasted multiple stands selling a variety of snacks and drinks.

Students were asked if they preferred the pep rally in the past or present. “There isn’t enough room for everybody's participation,” junior Morgan Whitbeck stated, showing her support for the pep rally in the past, as well as Emma Smith (junior) who said, “it’s a lot less crammed [outside]”. Kate Dushane didn't have a preference as she proved both sides had their advantages by admitting, “the school had a nice idea in keeping everyone at the pep rally together, to play games together….but outside there’s more space, food, and it's nice to be outside in the fall.”

The pep rally in the past still began with a 9th-period introduction for the whole high school, but it included the outdoor options after. Whereas our current pep rally doesn’t have those options.  Another junior, Kasey Pfleging, said she preferred the pep rally in the past due to the fact that, “there’s more to do outside than there is during the short period in the gym.” Opposing side senior, Gabby Gardner says she likes the pep rally during 9th period because she “feel[s] like [at] the one in the past there weren’t many activities to do.” Greenville graduate, Killian Bates prefers the pep rally in the past, reporting, “[I] got to have a safe place to play with my friends and [it was] a good time to raise money for my graduating class.”

Although, students seem to have a various range of opinions on the pep rally, the overall pattern seems to decide that students enjoy the pep rally in the past rather than the 9th period pep rally. In an attempt for more information, Ms.Lochner, coordinator of spirit week and the pep rally, was not available to answer questions at this time.

A related topic being discussed currently is the amount of input students have in spirit week and if they maybe want more. The amount of participation in spirit week would increase greatly if the students were able to have more of a decision on the themes during spirit week. It’d create more of a motivation for students to participate in the day-to-day themes. They’d feel more connected and part of spirit week.