Sussex Tech puts on the pep

By Laura Ford
Staff Reporter

Sussex Technical High School kicked off their football team’s first home game and welcomed the freshman class with their first pep rally of the season on Friday, Sept. 29.

Painted faces, tousled hair and “Go Tech” T-shirts flourished in the masses of high school students stomping, clapping and cheering for their school.

The Tech drummers started of the festivities with an explosive band performance straight from the movie “Drumline.” With synchronized pounding and movements, they set the tone for the high-energy event.

The walls of the gymnasium vibrated with the applause and enthusiasm of the students as the sports teams were introduced, the cheerleaders performed and a competition was held between grades to determine the most spirited class.

Represented by a member of each sports team, different grades then competed in pushup, dizzy bat and egg-walk relays. The senior class triumphed, winning two of the relays, and reluctantly were given three calls of “We’re not worthy” from the other classes.

The relays were followed by a competitive game of administrative musical chairs in which Dean of Students William “Bill” Collick finagled the final seat.

After some energy-enhancing from the Pep Committee — formed by students who promote sportsmanship — the pep rally finished with a dance competition in which the DJ played different genres of music while a male and female representative from each class did The Twist, Chicken Dance and The Tootsie Roll. A vote of cheers signified that senior dancers Keith Perry and Erika Conaway had been victorious.

It was only the second year the pep rally had been held indoors — a switch that actually fostered noise and energy. Junior Ivy Apicella, auxiliary percussion member in the Tech band, said she noticed this pep rally had more energy than in the past.

Apicella said Tech’s pep rallies are an event she always anticipates. “I always look forward to getting together (at the rallies), where you can be yourself and have fun,” said Apicella.

Freshman Destini Boyce said her first high school pep rally was a unique experience. She said she had been to pep rallies at her previous school, but they were not nearly as big and loud. “It was fun,” Boyce said, “but I’m a little hoarse — I don’t have energy for the game.”

Carolyn O’Neal, Tech’s PR representative, said the evening after the pep rally was also about fun but was specifically designed to keep the students occupied in a group setting. “Students are coming from all different places, so we try to give them the opportunity to stay and get to know their classmates in a supervised capacity,” said O’Neal.

The festivities of the evening included a “Welcome Freshmen Dance,” followed by a parent-sponsored tailgate party, “Staff versus Seniors” flag-football game and, finally, the first home game for the Raven football team versus Sussex Central.