Outgrowing the Pep Rally
Image courtesy of Milton Academy Vimeo
By KATHRYN FERNANDOPULLE ‘21
One of the biggest events of the fall, the Milton Academy pep rally brings the whole school together. We get to see both beloved Lower School performances and amazing feats from our own Upper School peers. From the “I believe” chant to the confetti cannon, our school creates an environment for everyone to be proud and excited for game day. However, I’ve noticed that as I’ve progressed through high school, the pep rally has gotten progressively less ‘peppy.’ Whether because the pep rally has gotten less energetic or because people simply outgrow the tradition, the energy drops off as you become an upperclassman.
As a freshman, I was beyond excited to attend the pep rally. I came up through the middle school, so I was happy that I could finally sit on the bleachers rather than on the hard wood floor of the ACC. My friends and I had been looking forward to the pep rally more than our actual games the day after. Maybe it was the excitement of finally being in high school or the buzz of the Nobles day rivalry, but I remember spirits being exceptionally high. I could not focus in any of the classes I had to attend right before the pep rally. I remember being covered in Milton spirit; I arrived decked out in a Milton sweatshirt, pair of sweatpants, and headband. When I finally got to the crowded gym with my blue and orange pom pom, I had the time of my life. From screaming the “I believe” chant at the top of my lungs to waving my arms excessively in an attempt to catch a free t-shirt, I had so much energy. Leaving the gym an hour later, I remember turning to my friend and saying, “Oh my God, that was SO fun!”
Now that I’m a junior, looking back on my energetic self screaming for the potato sack race volunteers, I compare how I act now to how I acted during the freshman year pep rally. I still cheered for all of the volunteers and I still screamed for the Lower Schooler students—Lower School performances can never get old. However, my spirit was not totally immersed in the Milton spirit. This year, I didn’t even wear any Milton gear; and, throughout the assembly, I constantly found myself looking at the clock on my phone to see when we were going to leave and go to class.
Leaving the assembly this year, I turned to my friend and asked, “Is it just me, or was the pep rally just not that hype this year?” She agreed with me. I’m not sure if I didn’t enjoy it as much because it was worse or because I have outgrown it. This being my fifth pep rally, the latter seems like a justified conclusion. When talking to my friends, I learn that they have all had similar experiences. As you get older and move to the right on the bleachers, the spirit of the pep rally seems weaker just because you have experienced it so many times.