Sam Reamer
Staff Writer 

To avoid the behavioral issues present at past pep rallies, Samo administration has made a few alterations to the first rally of the school year.

Just last week, Principal Laurel Fretz moved the Homecoming pep rally from a lunchtime rally to second period. According to Athletic Director Daniel Escalera, the change was a result of input Fretz received from students.

“Fretz went and spoke to various student groups and got input that said second period would be the best time to do it,” Escalera said. “The bottom line is that she had an open ear and she, being the principal, decided to change it.”

Associated Student Body (ASB) member Kate Story said ASB is hoping students will focus more on school unity during the pep rally.

“We’re trying to lessen the grade unity and strengthen the school wide unity,” Story said. “This pep rally is a test to see if class-time pep rallies go well.”

ASB member Paria Sheshpari advises students not to focus on their grade, though students will be given a chance to cheer for their year during the rally.

“We don’t want people to get to rowdy and throw things around because one person graduates in 2013 and another person graduates in 2014,” Sheshpari said. “We do want people to get hyped up to beat Morningside and we want people to respect what we’ve been given and ASB has worked hard for.”

So, in order for the pep rally to run smoothly, we have compiled a list of do’s and don’ts for the rally tomorrow:

DO’s:

- Grades have designated colors:
>>Freshman: gold
>>Sophomores: orange
>>Juniors: blue
>>Seniors: black
- Organized year chanting: each class will have a time a time to cheer for their year in a competition to see who can be the loudest.
- Demonstrate school unity and follow the Samo Code of Conduct.

DON’TS:

- Boo other classes. Any sound made during the designated chanting periods will count positively toward that grade.
- Bring backpacks or food into the Greek during the rally.

Also, check out the rally schedule on the blue bulletin: http://www.samohi.smmusd.org/BB.pdf

sreamer@thesamohi.com