Homecoming week is one of the most highly anticipated of the year for high schoolers. While excitement grew for the homecoming dance and game, so did concern among both students and staff who have noticed a trend: student participation in pep rallies is low.

“I think it’s because the same couple of people always do it,” Student Body Vice President Gavin Cagney (‘25) said. “During student council meetings, we do a lot of brainstorming to get people involved. Sending out emails and making announcements. People just don’t sign up.”

Unfortunately, communication between the student council and the student body wasn’t as effective as the student council hoped, fearfully sign-up numbers just aren’t high enough, and don’t showcase a range of demographics in participants.

“It’s always the jocks or athletic kids that do it,” Christian Gogh (‘26) said. “I never know where to sign up and by the time I find out it’s too late.” 

Many students agreed that sign-up confusion is a big part of the low participation even with pep rally games open to all grades and genders, other factors like intimidation and fear of embarrassment can get in the way of volunteering to enter a game.  

“I don’t want to mess up in front of the whole student body,” Kylan Van Batavia (‘26) said.

Although many students appreciate pep rally days because of the day’s shortened hours, with Friday tests or quizzes it can still be hard to find the energy student council is looking for.

 “I think if they got the crowd more excited, maybe more people would look forward to coming and participating,” Teacher Karen Kurcz said. 

When opportunities to be loud for your class arrive,  student sections among grades channel a huge amount of energy into the pep rally environment. With coordinated chants from the cheerleaders to the games and contests students are looking for a unique show to catch their interests and amusements. 

“I want to see games that are entertaining to watch, not musical chairs,” Van Batavia said. 

Traditional games in the pep rallies – like knocker ball or eating contests –  can be enjoyable to watch the first time but, to some, they lose their spark when we see them every rally. It leaves  students wondering if anything new will come along at the next rally.

“I’d like to see a Nerf gun war,” Gogh said. “That’d be cool.”