Gaby Garcia: Down with the rallies
Senior Gaby Garcia believes pep rallies have no spirit and should discontinue.
October 31, 2018
When I think of school spirit, I think of the pom-poms, the pep, and the high kicks, but never from our school. Never our pep rallies.
Throughout my high school career, I’ve had three different perspectives on the supposed spirit-filled events ranging from outside, inside and none at all. During my freshman year I “participated” in school spirit-filled event from the stands, visually soaking in my surroundings. Sophomore year I was in every pep rally live as a Majestic.
Now, as a senior, I am proud to say I haven’t gone to a single pep rally all year and don’t plan on it.
We don’t need them. They have no real purpose or value. We are just conditioned to expect them because that’s what we are brought up seeing it in movies and on social media feeds. High school isn’t like the movies for everyone, and neither are pep rallies.
The event itself doesn’t cater to everyone in the school, only those that are more outgoing or thrive in social surroundings. But what about the quieter side of the student sections- the introverts, the anti-socials. What are we supposed to do?
Due to the fact that it’s mandatory, I’m forced to exit my comfort zone of quiet tranquility in the classroom to cater to other people’s expectations of the typical high school norm.
Pep rallies are just like other events the school offers such as football games, dances and fundraising events. But two things separate pep rallies from these events- pep rallies occur during school hours and are mandatory.
Instead of holding these events, we should put more focus on the football games. If you want your pep, take it to the student section where you are welcomed with open arms. Save school hours for what students are here for- education.
Just because other schools host pep rallies is no reason to keep them here. After all, Lovejoy has many things that separate us from other schools, so not having pep rallies can be another one of those things that separate us from what is considered to be a typical high school. Our main focus is on academics, so why even bother funding these events when the money can go to building up other programs in the school or giving us a nicer learning environment.
So instead of continuing to throw these spiritless gatherings at the expense of my education maybe consider revising your complaints of success rates with an actual solution. Take the pep to football games and quit the pep rallies.
