Elementary students celebrate Tide pride

Alexa Biddle
CONNECT — Crouching to talk to an enthusiastic fan, senior Morgan Murphy reaches out for a drawing the student made for the pep rally. The cheerleaders could be found bidding farewell to their younger counterparts as they headed back to JSC. “We are looking forward to the cheerleaders because when we go to middle and high school that’s what we want to be,” fourth graders Kyra Sophy and Adalia Laselva said.
Alexa Biddle
SUPPORT — Showing off her Tide pride, a JSC student holds up a sign she made as the pep rally comes to a close. As students left, they danced while the band played. “My favorite part was the cheerleaders doing flips,” second grader Andrew Allen said.
Alexa Biddle
DISPLAY — Students express their passion by showing off their own personalized Tide pride signs. When the pep rally began to take off, the students cheered along with the cheerleaders and Rip Tide from the stands. “This is a spectacular event; [we] get such great cooperation from the band, cheerleaders, administration and community,” Mr. John Spleen, fourth grade teacher, said.
Alexa Biddle
CHEER — Varsity high school cheerleaders, joined by Rip Tide, the school’s mascot, show off their moves. The cheerleaders and the band pumped up the crowd by dancing and playing to songs like “Uptown Funk” by Bruno Mars. “Band is my favorite thing to do, especially when it’s for the entertainment of others. Seeing all those little kids’ smiling faces and hearing their cheers really made my day,” sophomore Donna Lonergan, pep band member, said.
Alexa Biddle
EXCITE — Second graders clap while watching the cheerleaders perform their stunts. Many elementary school students could be seen sporting their “PRIDE” headbands that they made in class. “I was excited to see the band and new mascot,” third grader Dylan Bentley said.
Alexa Biddle
EXEMPLIFY — Elementary school students hold PRIDE signs to get their peers fired up at the JSC PBIS pep rally. It was held September 19 at the Veterans Memorial Stadium. “It gets all the kids involved; they’re very excited. It really helps with behavior because the kids can really show their Tide pride,” Mrs. Debbie Lecker, PBIS team member, said.