Raising School Spirit

The Pep Rally is one of the most effectiveThe Rally itself is the time and place where most
activities in moulding school spirit and schoolof the very well planned activities could take
loyalty. It also instills various elements ofplace. This is the time new yells can be taught to
sportsmanship into the student body and has athe student body, members of the team
definite part in a secondary school curriculum. Foridentified to the student body, fiery pep talks
this reason a Pep Rally should be much more thangiven, some stunts, or a skit presented, songs,
a "Yell Practice" session.cheers, etc., molding the student body into one
The cheerleaders have a big responsibility inlarge united group pledging themselves to support
arousing school spirit and good sportsmanship inthe team and help them win.
their school's athletic contests. It is theirThe pep rally is the climax of the week's
responsibility to instill in the students a strongcampaign and the final session before the big
sense of loyalty and devotion to their school; togame, and it should be planned in every detail so
increase the attendance at the school athleticas to be fitting for such a place in the overall
contests and obtain the School Spirit.program.
Campaigns of different types to "Boost SchoolThe yells should be rehearsed so that everyone
Spirit" can be constantly planned and carried outknows the words, and also just as important, the
during the week preceding games. Planning suchrhythm to yell them in. The use of sound effect
days designated as "Color Days," when eachcheers, "big noise" cheers where there is a loud
student is urged to wear the school colors onyell, complete silence for a beat or so, and then
them somewhere, to show that they areanother loud response, can make a cheering
boosting the team; "Slogan Days" where studentssection sound very good. These points can and
say an adopted slogan, such as "Smear theshould be stressed at the rally so the students will
Bears" instead of "Hello," and say the sloganknow how to respond at the game.
every time they meet someone in the hall, on theThe Pep Rally is one of the cheerleaders' best
street, when they answer the telephone,weapons against lax, or subdued school spirit, and
answering the roll, etc. are two good examples.the best use of this time should be utilized. The
The slogan is the first thing that they say whenrally need not last for too long a time, 20 minutes
they start to speak and then go on with whatis ample to do a great deal if every minute is
they were planning to say. The result, one hearsplanned. This way the rally will not drag in spots
all over school that whole day, "Smear the Bears,"as is the usual case when the cheerleaders have
"Smear the Bears," etc. all day long.to "kill" 45 minutes or an hour with pep rally
Any fad, mode of dress, wearing one sock up,activities. Make the rally short and to the point
one down, a scarf, one earring for girls, aand inspiring key them up but don't wear them
handkerchief hanging out the back pocket forout.
boys, etc., could be done for one day to "hex"The Pep Rally is also a good time to remind the
the other team. Burning a candle the night beforestudent body about sportsmanship; but the
the game, etc., or any other thing that might becheerleaders should be careful to not "preach" to
dreamed up might be used as a means to createthem, for this sometimes ruins the whole desired
a little feeling for the coming game. Signs placedeffect of the Rally.
around the school with various slogans, cartoons,These are just some of the ways the spirit of
depicting what you hope to do at the game,the school can be raised. Try one of them!
advertising the rally, etc., also help.