Getting back into the swing of school can be tough. Most of us deal with what I like to call the Sunday Scaries, but in August, it’s more like the Back-to-School Scaries.
Even with the usual jitters, seniors and staff pulled off another exciting and highly anticipated Roar Rally. This event has been a tradition at Fallston for the past three years, and it always brings energy and school spirit to kick off the year. The rally featured the marching band and color guard, the cheer squad, class officers, various sports teams, staff members, and of course, the FHS Pep Squad.
This year’s Roar Rally was a huge success. We hope everyone was there, but in case you caught a case of senioritis, no matter what grade you’re in, here’s how it went down. The show opened with a performance from the Marching Band and the national anthem, played on electric guitar by Mac Fisher. Then the state champion Cheer Squad gave us all a reason to smile. The Pep Squad was introduced next, along with the sophomore, junior, and senior class officers.
After a quick and funny game of Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Cone, Pep Squad members Kendall Haun and Caleb Cantella shared interviews they had filmed during Freshman Fest. They even picked out a few of the featured freshmen from the crowd for live interviews. The moment was adorable and definitely memorable. These were just some of the highlights from this year’s rally.
So, who makes it all happen? The Pep Squad is a group of senior varsity athletes from sports like lacrosse, field hockey, soccer, and track who work together to bring the hype at Fallston. Their responsibilities include announcing game days, creating social content, running pep rallies, and much more. This year’s Pep Squad members are Olivia Parker, Alex Croucher, Ruby Reddel, Myra Whitley, Kendall Haun, Alexa Wilson, Campbell Foxx, Josh Atha, Cooper Savelle, and Caleb Cantella.
Behind the scenes, it’s clear that more work goes into planning than most of us realize. Olivia Parker explained, “We were constantly bouncing ideas off each other, and to execute we prepped all morning and rehearsed about 15 times.” She added that what ended up happening wasn’t exactly what they had planned, but it turned out even better.
Public speaking in front of the entire school can be nerve-racking. Kendall Haun admitted, “It’s a mixture of excitement and anxiety. I love talking in front of a group and bringing the energy, but at the same time there are always those nerves of ‘what if.’ But I really enjoy it.” For others, like Alex Croucher, being part of events like the Roar Rally is pure joy. “It gives me the opportunity to connect with not only the students but also the staff, and it allows me to be an active member of the school community,” said Alex. “I honestly love public speaking and running and putting things together.”
From a student’s perspective, the Roar Rally is meant to be a fun and energizing way to start the year. Sophomore Ben Montoya shared that he thought this year’s rally topped last year’s. “I loved the Q&A bit, that was really funny to watch,” he said. Ben also pointed out that this year’s rally was “a lot more interactive” and that seeing the new freshmen get involved was a highlight. His take on Fallston’s infamous cheers? “They’re fun. I like them, especially when people actually do them.”
From the staff’s perspective, the rally was just as meaningful. Longtime business education teacher Mr. Brian Hulka, now in his 24th year at Fallston, gave huge props to the Pep Squad. “I think anything that gets seniors in the building and involved in the school is great,” he said. He especially enjoyed how the Pep Squad included video elements this year, and, like the rest of us, loved seeing the freshmen put on the spot.
Whether you were watching the marching band, cheering with the squad, or laughing at the freshmen interviews, this year’s Roar Rally showed what Fallston pride is all about. From the hard work of the Pep Squad to the support of staff and the excitement of students, the rally was a true team effort. If the energy from the Roar Rally is any sign, the 2025 school year is already off to an unforgettable start.
