What Student's Really Think of the Pep Rallies

Grand Prairie High School hosts pep rallies for important school events throughout the year in Turner Gym. Usually hosted on Fridays, the pep rallies celebrate rivalry football games, homecoming dances, Geep Court and more. While the pep rallies are presented as exciting and “peppy,” they’re not everyone’s favorite.

Grand Prairie High School’s pep rallies consist of several things such as music played by the band, performances from the drill team (Geepettes) and cheerleaders, important announcements regarding school events, and a game played by the people on the court. Near the end of each pep rally, seniors are given the opportunity to tear up a giant banner as well. It seems entertaining, but it grows repetitive.

“It’s the same stuff every time,” sophomore Quinton Watson said. “The band plays the same song, Geepettes do the same dances. Who is going to get hype after that?”

The games played at the pep rallies vary from time to time, but one thing never changes: the students in the stands are not included in them. The main participants are those on the court, including football players and members of student council. The students in the bleachers can only sit and watch. They are even punished if they jump onto the court during the rally.

“Everyone wants to skip the pep rallies, there’s nothing for us to do in the stands,” Watson said. “We just watch them have fun.”

Students complain time and time again, often making jokes about the pep rallies to keep themselves entertained during them. They get excited to leave class, but use the pep rally as a time to socialize rather than get involved. This could be because they are not given the opportunity, or maybe they are just bored. However, not everyone is disappointed.

“I think they are fun,” senior Beverly Barron said. “But they should interact more with the crowd.”

Some students offered suggestions, asking for nothing more than a good time. Many suggestions have not been considered.

“They should consider what students want, not just student council,” Quinton Watson said. “When you walk in, the upbeat music is nice. But after that, it’s like “why are we here?’”