Winter Pep Rally is a 3 Pointer!

February 23, 2024

NHS members celebrate before the pep rally.

Our Pep Rally on February 21, 2024, celebrated our Winter Sports Seasons, highlighting the pivotal moments of each season for the student body. Students, grades 9-12, cheered as the Wrestling, Hockey, Boys and Girls Basketball, Indoor Track, Bowling, Gymnastic, Swimming and Diving, Rifle, Cheerleading, and Bocce Teams were announced.

Teachers and administrators performed lip dubs for the students. Dr. Postlethwait and Mrs. Bizzozero started off the performance, not to be outdone by the staff who followed. The question was asked, who let the dogs out?, and the answer is assuredly, Ms. Brodie, who entered the gym accompanied by her pup. Mr. Scheuermann and Mr. Stauffer whipped out their dance moves, and finally, Dr. Palmer, Mrs. Mash, and Dr. Gratchic gave a jaw dropping, choreographed performance that certainly was the best in show.

Then, in honor of winter sports, the shoot out and basketball games commenced.

High School and Harrold School Staff pose with Referee, Mr. Stauffer.

The first basket, shot by Mrs. Mash, solicited a roaring round of applause from the student body as the staff, somewhat fairly, played our junior-senior team. With Maximus Williams towering over teachers with his 6′ 6″ frame, it was deemed acceptable that there were often six staff members on the court in the five player game or that Mrs. Fetterman hugged Allie Cervola to prevent her from playing offense.

The comical moments were also accompanied by robust and athletic performances from staff and students alike. With Mr. Harden’s fast breaks to the basket, Mrs. Mittleider’s rebounds, and Mr. William, Mr. Boyd, and Mr. Gillies running plays, the teachers won by 2 points.

Some may say they had the refs, Nick Miller and Mr. Stauffer, in their back pockets, but both teams shook hands in good fun to end the pep rally.

Students and staff basketball players pose together at the conclusion of the game.

Overall, students appreciate the efforts of NHS, Mrs. Fetterman, and Mrs. Franklin who routinely plan and execute these school wide pep rallies for the student body. Without their careful planning, we would miss our shot at celebrating each season. Rather, with their energy and enthusiasm for Hempfield Area, it’s clear that the pep rally was a real 3 pointer!

About the Contributors

Abby Harvey, Contributor

Abby has been attending the Hempfield Area School District for 11 years. From a young age, she has had a passion for writing. She loves going on adventures with her friends and family, finding a new experience everyday! It's even better when she gets to write about it. She loves to watch live sports, more specifically the fantastic Friday Night Lights and hockey at Hempfield Area or professional hockey! She looks forward to providing Hempfield with stories to inform and entertain! Like Taylor Swift says, “When I get on a roll with something, it’s really hard for me to put it down unfinished.” ♥

Alyssa Manderach, Editor

Spartan pride runs deep for Alyssa Manderach, who is originally an Ocean City, Maryland native. She has spent the last 7 years working to embrace what it means to be a part of Hempfield Area. The Royal has been a dedicated passion of hers since she started writing for it two years ago during her sophomore year. Her work preserving events and memories for the newspaper has pushed her to pursue a career in journalism after graduating from college. Much of her time is also spent volunteering and working with the school as president of United Spartans. Between her time in these organizations, as well as many other clubs and honor societies, she has seen the opportunities to volunteer with local organizations such as Big Brothers Big Sisters, Beverly's Birthdays, and Westmoreland County Food Bank. Her plans for the upcoming years involve attending a four-year university, studying communications with a focus on media, so that hopefully she can enter the journalism field as a writer or editor.