The week leading up to the annual Upper Perkiomen Homecoming pep rally was filled with tension. The pep rally usually followed a specific routine, but when students discovered that this year’s would be different, many were outraged.
For years past, the pep rally included the band playing festive songs, the cheerleaders pepping the crowd, the crowning of homecoming king, and a game of musical chairs for senior fall sport participants. This year, the plan was to remove the game of musical chairs and bring new games to the event that involved students from all grades.
Last year, the principal of Upper Perkiomen High School, Dr. Shirk, approached the Connections Club (a club that encourages students to help others, work together, and stop bullying) about taking over the pep rally and making it a more school oriented affair. They accepted and incorporated new games that all students, not just senior athletes, could participate in.
But many seniors were angry. Over the years, they have watched other seniors laugh and have fun playing musical chairs, waiting for when their chance would arrive.
“I [have] had to watch [musical chairs] being played for the past three years, so it is something I have been looking forward to,” cross country senior participant David Hoffman stated.
As a protest, a Facebook event called “Boycott UPHS Pep Rally Games” emerged. The event suggested that no one participate in the new pep rally games in an effort to get the old game back. It stated that although the Connections Club was trying to include more people, it was excluding others.
“Since most senior fall athletes have been looking forward to this since their freshman year, it was disappointing to have the game taken away,” senior soccer player Erich Keyser said. “I think it is good to try and fight for a compromise.”
Many seniors joined and supported the cause, posting comments on the page about how they felt. Many were in agreement that they did not oppose the new games, they just wanted the old game included as well.
“I supported the protest because tradition is important to student life,” senior Jackie Myers stated. “It has been a part of past pep rallies and I hope that it remains a part of future ones.”
But not every student supported the protest. Several posted statuses on Facebook about the immaturity of those who supported the protest.
“Quite frankly I was outraged,” senior golf player Shane Benz said. “Students have somewhat complained about recent pep rallies over the past few years. An attempt was made resolve them. It seems as if students cannot make up their mind on whether to make the rallies more fun or to keep the status quo.”
The following day, school authorities were notified of the Facebook page and the commotion it had caused. Certain students spoke with administrators in charge of the pep rally, looking for ways to fix the problem.
“The staff helping out with the pep rally had expected some bad blood [regarding musical chairs], but they definitely underestimated it,” Angela Montalvo, a Connections Club member, said.
The event showed staff just how many seniors were angry with the changes and prompted a compromise. The pep rally now includes musical chairs and one new game hosted by the Connections club.
When asked about the compromise, Montalvo said that “it was made to keep everyone happy, but also incorporate some new ideas and get everyone involved.”
The Connections Club definitely did not anticipate such a harsh backlash at their attempt at revamping the pep rally. But now the problem has been addressed and the compromise has made a lot of students happy.
“It was never our intention to “take” things away- we were simply adding games that would involve the entire student body,” Montalvo stated.