Homecoming pep rally held today

As a way to boost school spirit before the homecoming game and dance, a pep rally was held today during seventh period. Rain forced the SGA to move the event into the gym, and classes were assigned to come down for one of the two halves.

During the second pep rally, a commotion was caused when an egg was thrown straight into the air onto the bleachers where the class of 2009 was seated. A second egg was thrown later in the rally when the JV football team was doing a cheer, forcing Principal Darryl Williams to issue a warning that further disrespect would mean no future pep rallies.

According to SGA President Molly Martinez, the egg-throwers will be apprehended. "There are cameras everywhere," she said. "The person who threw the eggs is going to get caught."

In addition to the egg incidents, SGA sponsor Rondai Ravilious suffered knee injuries and was transported to the hospital after slipping on silly string sprayed by Blazers.

Despite the few incidents, though, the event went on without a hitch. Emcees Martinez and senior Carlos Mesa, assisted by DJ Chris Styles, led the school through spirit-oriented cheers. Martinez and Mesa also announced the winners of the Homecoming Court.

Highlight performances throughout the pep rally included those of the pom squad and cheerleaders. The poms danced to an upbeat mix of 1980s-era music, and the cheerleaders performed numerous acrobatic feats, including several by coach and English teacher Sarah Fillman. Each sports team was also given a brief time interval in which to perform a skit or cheer.

For one of the final acts in the pep rally, Magnet coordinator Dennis Heidler was called out onto the floor as a part of a deal with Blair's Key Club. For a week, Key Club members asked students for donations to UNICEF in collection pails marked with administrator's names. Heidler's pail raised the most money, so as a part of the deal, he was called out to do the "Soulja Boy" dance onstage along with several students. Williams and Assistant Principals Myriam Rogers and Andrew Coleman were also coaxed into performing with Heidler.

Aside from the early snaggles, the SGA felt that the rally was a positive, spirit-boosting event. "I thought we had a great pep rally," Martinez said.

Rogers and the administration agreed with Martinez. "Other than the egg issue, it was great," Rogers said. "The students seemed to be having fun, the athletes looked great, it was in good taste."