Recently, there have been rumors about the fate of SHS’s pep rallies. How many are there? Is there spirit week? Are there class colors? Do we have assigned seats? In a recent interview, Mr. Wargo laid out the proposed upcoming changes to the traditional SHS pep rally.

    No longer is Nov. 27 just the anticipated half day before Thanksgiving break, but it is also the date of SHS’s first pep rally. The pep rally, like in previous years, will take place during the last hour of the day.

    Due to concerns surrounding negative competition between each grade, Mr.Wargo and members of Student Council have been working together to promote a positive school culture while also keeping the perspective of students in mind. “My goal for this year’s pep rallies are to make sure every aspect is 100% positive,” said Wargo. Some students, however, have questioned why there is a need for change. ‘There was obviously some class tension at the pep rallies,” said junior Katie Golden, “but what else do you expect with competition. It only made them more intense and it united each grade.”

    In his first year at SHS, Mr.Wargo was “dismayed by how upperclassmen treated the freshman” during pep rally chants. As an administrator, it is Mr.Wargo’s job to ensure that all students feel comfortable during school events. That is where the issue of class colors has developed. “Separating students by their grades can make some students and easy target for bullying” said Mr.Wargo

    His goal for colors is to incorporate the SHS school colors: blue, white, and black. However, how these colors will we separated amongst students is still under discussion. Some seniors, on the other hand, have voiced their opposition to not being able to wear black, as SHS senior had in years past. In response, Mr.Wargo pointed out how “as much as senior year is an accomplishment that deserves recognition, and will get recognition, we can’t just ignore the other three grades of the student body.”

    There are also slight changes happening in the pep rally activities. Opposed to centering the pep rally around football, Mr.Wargo and other members of the facility hope to incorporate more of the fall season sports. Regardless of the sports, however, student competition will remain a part of SHS pep rallies. Ms.Olander, SHS’s new Student Council advisor, said they hope to create competitive team using seniors and sophomores on one team, and juniors and freshmen on another. This not only allow students of different grades to meet one another, but also ensures fair and positive competition.

    As for spirit week, the week leading up to the pep rally has now become the week leading up to homecoming. The monday before homecoming, Nov.11, is the first day of SHS’s first spirit week. “I’m a huge fan of spirit week,” said Mr.Wargo. “I like seeing the students dress up the same regardless of what grade they’re in. Rowdy’s good, loud’s good, as long as it promotes positive school culture, I’m on board.”

    Whatever the final outcome of the pep rally may be, there’s sure to be change implemented in order to preserve positive school culture. The SHS administration is determined to make every student feel welcomed and safe at pep rallies, and the changes this year are designed to do just that.