Falcons Show School Spirit in Pep-rally

Cameras flashed like lightning and the marching band’s drums felt like the rumble of thunder as they enthusiastically walked into the gym for Ferguson’s first indoor pep rally of the year. Students were greeted with the band outside; their uniforms and instruments proudly glinting black and silver reinforced the music being played. “I think this is going to be pretty wild. I’m excited,” freshman Dalice Morey, said. Older students who have seen their fair share of these events love them just the same. Sophomore Franco Valda said that the pep rallies show a lot of school spirit while junior Isabella Villarreal said that “it gives us a break from class and allows us to destress.” Clearly popular among all grade levels, the event never stopped as Fusion dancers and the Ferguson cheerleaders warmed up the crowd for a rally that proved to be a great end to Spirit Week.

In a flurry of black, white, and silver the cheerleaders blow away the crowd with a choreographed routine showcasing their best moves after the introduction of the football team and the announcement of the homecoming game against Braddock. The excitement produced waves in the crowd when the game was mentioned, because not only is it the homecoming football game, but Braddock is Ferguson’s rival school. Students at the second pep rally even dedicated the chorus of Steam’s iconic “Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye” to the rival football team in hopes of their defeat. As they danced and sang from the bleachers, seniors showed off their class pride and made the most noise in the first pep rally while being outdone by the freshmen at the second rally which caused typical cries of “go home freshmen,”  a traditional kidding taunts drowned out by “let’s go Falcons!”

During the second pep rally, things were more energetic than ever with a flurry of new black and white face paint designs and a new list of songs. The Alma Mater was clearer, the music louder, and the cheers downright deafening. “It was a relief, and we finally got to perform. It was nice hearing everybody cheering… it’s a blast,” senior bass drummer for the marching band Gerardo Franco-Mora, said.  As the music from the cheerleading performances slowed down, students on one side of the gym used their cell phone flashlights to keep the beat and the other side responded by replicating the action, which produced an iconic moment. The second pep rally also brought a game played in the performance area, the winners won two tickets to the homecoming.

The homecoming court was introduced at both pep rallies with wild cheers from the crowd. However, the morale boost was for the entire student body and Falcon Gift Shop teacher Mrs. Amador says that her students particularly enjoy the experience. “It can’t all be academics,” she explains, “there needs to be a balance of fun. It helps kids come out of their shells- those who are introverted. It gives them a chance to socialize with others. We should have at least one per nine weeks,” Mrs. Amador said.

Both pep rallies were closed out by Ferguson’s Fusion dance team who drove the crowd absolutely insane with a Latin music routine that revitalized everyone. Fusion dancers were sent off with incredible cheers as the pep rally dictated the end of Spirit Week. As students filed out of the gym the hum of voices swelled and everyone left in high spirits ready to face the weekend.