Are pep rallies a valuable use of school time?

Pro

by Robert Butler

Pep rallies are the peak of life at high school. I have never not liked participating in one; I mean, what is there not to love about them?

I am never more excited than when the office calls the students down to the gym at the end of a long, monotonous day.

Some of my fondest memories of my time in school are when I was jumping up and down in the bleachers and screaming to my heart’s content.

There is nothing like getting to spend an hour away from class and getting to relax. Why should I have to be worried about my school work all the time? I deserve some time to get away from my teachers and actually enjoy myself.

There is so much to do: relay/obstacle races, crowd competitions, various sports contests, aggressive musical chairs, and hungry hippo, just to name a few. Not to mention special guest appearances, talent shows, and major announcements about future events and school news.

Pep rallies are the best way to show your school spirit and generate hype for the school year. Personally, without them, I don’t get as excited for the school year, and the stress that comes with it.

Even if students aren’t all about moving around and making noise, they can still definitely benefit from going to a pep rally. There is something for everyone to appreciate and I know having them more often can play a huge role in changing the culture at school.

Con

by Samuel Colmar

Pep rallies suck. Now, I get the intentions behind them—to unify the school, to blow off steam, to inform the students or whatever—but honestly, they feel like a complete waste of time.

I don’t think I’ve ever really enjoyed a pep rally. The entire process is aggravating: the long lines to sit in the horribly uncomfortable bleachers, the obnoxious kids screaming in your ear, missing class, all in the name of what? School spirit?

“School spirit” here feels almost entirely nonexistent and the pep rallies feel like a sad attempt at rekindling what is already lost.

It’s just not a good time. What am I supposed to do if I’m not interested? The reception in the gym sucks as it is so it’s not like I can get on my phone, and the activities I’m being asked to do aren’t ever really engaging.

The coveted “shouting-match” between grades we seem to do every year is by far the lamest and most obnoxious thing ever and bragging rights doesn’t really seem like much of an incentive to participate.

Pep rallies should really be optional. I’m sure the turnout for them would still be big, and only the kids who want to participate will have to—those who aren’t interested should be able to opt out and stay in class.

Honestly pep rallies seem lost on my class (as a Senior). Maybe revamping things and changing the approach to appeal to our younger students may be what this school needs to rejuvenate our school spirit and make pep rallies at least bearable.