High Spirits at Pep Rally
The DMAE Pep Rally on September 27, 2019, was one of the best in recent years with high spirits, enthusiastic participation and team cooperation.
“The 2019 fall Pep Rally did not disappoint! Excellent weather, great school spirit, and enthusiastic student body and athletes made it an enjoyable event on the campus of DMHS this fall,” Athletic Director Richard Suchanski said.
Student athletes who participated in a fall athletic program, the cheer squad and drum line members all couldn’t wait to get the Rally started and reported to the gym at the end of 7th period with high expectations ready to prepare. They wore uniforms along with wide smiles.
Soccer, volleyball, football, cross country and tennis athletes prepared to run out with their respective teams.
Each sport had painted its own banner to run through to enter the Rally. Members of the cheer team held onto these banner as the sports teams broke through them with spirit and pride once the Rally began. The rest of the student body waited in excitement in the senior parking lot near a small stage as Mr. Suchanski announced each team that came out.
“It’s great to see how the Pep Rally has evolved over the years. I see a lot more school spirit as a senior,” senior Lynaisha Smith commented.
The coaches of each team introduced senior players and gave short speeches about them. Varsity players stood on the stage while junior varsity players supported from the sides. The Pep Rally meant the most for the senior athletes because most of them had invested years into their sports. All told, approximately 36 seniors were recognized by their coaches: 11 for football, 5 for girls soccer, 6 for girls volleyball, 10 for boys soccer, and 4 for girls tennis.
“It brought us together as a community,” senior Damian Orlowski exclaimed. “Since it’s my senior year, this Pep Rally meant the most to me. It was nice and everyone had fun.”
Not only were students pepped for the rally, they were also excited for the Homecoming game which took place that night.
“The excitement of the event carried into the evening for the Homecoming Game. A large crowd filled Winton White Stadium, which included alumni from the class of 1979 and 1993. With everyone’s support cheering on the football team, the Maroon Raiders were victorious and defeated Ridgefield Park High School by the score of 26 – 13,” Mr. Suchanski explained.
Mr. Suchanchi also commented on the high spirits and performances of the marching band and cheer squad.
“It truly was a very special night and memorable event for this fall season,” Mr. Suchanski said.
The week leading up to the Pep Rally was spirit week, with each day representative of some kind of high spirit that could be shown off: jersey day, superhero day, wacky tacky fun day, twin day, and, of course, Raider Pride day for the Rally. These special days were meant to create more school spirit and unity among students, however, not as many students participated in this years’ spirit week. Fortunately, this did not impact Raider Pride.
