The long-awaited pep rally started off with a mix of cheers and yells from the grades alike. More prominently, from the sixth graders, along with the fifth and fourth graders. On Friday, October 3, at 1:10 pm, the Flint Hill Upper School pep rally began. Grades fourth to the seniors assembled in the Upper School gym dressed in colors according to grade, fourth graders had the honor of wearing grey, fifth graders in yellow or orange, sixth in red, seventh in purple, eighth in pink, freshmen in green, sophomores in blue, juniors in white, and seniors in black.
The seniors were welcomed into the gym with cheers and applause, the group huddling together before joining the other grades in the stands. The cheers continued as the different grades competed to see who could cheer the loudest. The gym was filled with, “Flint, Flint Hill, Flint Flint, Flint Hill!” In the end, of course, the seniors won the cheer competition.
Next was the Hungry Hippo game, which involved two people per team, one lying on a scooter and the other holding them by the legs to push the cart, for the ultimate goal of getting the most balls from the center into their hula hoop. The first round was between 6th grade, 5th grade, and 4th grade. All teams put up a good fight, and it came down to the wire with 10 balls for 5th and 6th, while 4th had 9. For the tie breaker, a game of rock, paper, scissors was in order; in the end, the 6th grade won. The second round went similarly to the first; teams consisted of 7th grade, 8th grade, 11th grade, and 12th grade. This one came down to another tie, this time between 11th grade and 7th grade; 11th grade would take the win.
Following up those intense rounds was tug of war, each grade’s strongest grouped up in preparation. First, it was 8th vs. 7th, 8th being the victor. Second, it was Freshmen vs. the Seniors, and the seniors won. Third, it was Sophomores vs. Juniors; Juniors pulled through. Finally, the last matchup was Juniors vs. Seniors; in the end, 11th came away with the win. After the final bout, the Dance Team was welcomed into the gym. They had a wonderful performance and were joined by several teachers who danced along with them to end the routine.
The next competition was the sumo suit relay, two people from grades 9 to 12 were dressed in sumo suits, assisted by one 7th or 8th grader. Their task was to land a volleyball in a basket, then run with the ball at their feet down the court and score it in a hula hoop. Then the two students in the sumo suits needed to wheelbarrow their 7th or 8th grader back down the court to win. Ultimately, the seniors would be the victors in this one.
Next up was the long-awaited Musical Chairs, where 6th grade, 4th grade, and 5th grade would compete. It came down to a close match between the 5th and 6th grade, but the 6th managed to endure. Later on, there was another round of musical chairs, this time between grades 7th to 12th. There were redos and questionable calls, but in the end, the 9th grade was named victorious.
Before saying goodbye to the lower school students, everybody participated in a wave, which circled around the gym multiple times, and grew cheers of excitement from the students. Then, with the lower schoolers gone, it was time for teachers vs. student dodgeball. Both teams lined up on opposite sides of the gym, starved for a win and prepared to compete. As the game began, the 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th grades put up a fight against the teachers selected to be their opponents. However, as the time ran out, neither side could be declared the winner, drawing a tie.
We interviewed some people about their thoughts on the pep rally and what they liked about it:
“Yeah, I liked the level of energy, and I think it’s a great thing to come together 4th through 12th and to have some fun during flex block, which makes people more aware of homecoming activities, which is also great,” said Jonathan Houser ‘28. Houser really admired the fact that the pep rally raised awareness for other homecoming events and had a lot of fun being able to embrace the Husky spirit with his friends.
“Felt like the pep rally was a nice, inclusive time for the lower schoolers, our up and coming upper schoolers, and our upper school classmen as well,” said Zachary Dorchinsky ‘28. Dorchinsky loved the fact that the lower schoolers got to spend some time with the upperclassmen. They were able to hang out with new people and got to learn more about what it is like for upperclassmen.
Overall, the pep was a huge success that exposed people to the amazing homecoming events and gave students an opportunity to be together while indulging in fun activities. This inclusive, energetic, and elaborate experience is one that these students will never forget.
