To build anticipation of the homecoming game last Friday, the school had a pep rally outside on the football field. Unlike other pep rallies, a portion of this pep rally was dedicated to introducing the homecoming maids, one of which was crowned at the game. Sophomore maid, Oakley Allen, said, “First thing I got up way too early and I just made sure I had everything prepared like my dress, and I had to go get it tailored. And I just had to get my hair and makeup done, and I went routinely through what hairstyle I wanted to do.”

     She also said, “The best part of the pep rally was definitely my escort, Aidan. He’s super sweet and I loved making our handshake. It was super fun, and I heard everybody loved our handshake. Also it was fun to watch them doing the sumo-wrestling-thing.”

     Both the Southern Belles and the Maverick Cheer team put on an excellent performance during the pep rally. Southern Belles, Ava Sicard, said, “For the pep rally dance we did a kick routine, which is what we’re known for, and that requires a lot of stamina. So this week, we did a lot of extra practice, and we would send videos of everything. And it’s definitely a really hard dance. but we worked hard to make it look perfect on the field.”

     Maverick Cheerleader, Coen Browning, said, “Varsity and freshman worked together for the past three weeks to create.”

     To build excitement, the pep rally had a game select people participated in. In the game, two guys and two girls from each grade fought to keep their place within a circle. They were encased in inflatable balls and used those to their advantage as they pushed other people out. One participant, Jett Welborn, said, “Before they told us it was going to be physical…and then you see all the balls. Watching the girls go was interesting because it was a precursor for what we had to do. Then inside the balls it’s very, like, disoriented. You have no sense of what’s going on around you, and you’re watching everybody the best you can. Then, y’know, I got hit in the back to get out. Just the thrill of getting thrown as you’re going, it’s a fun experience.”