Tim Mandell
Decked out in team colors and face paint and pumped by a thunderous roar of screams and chants, Clark-Moores Middle School students filled the gym to capacity on Wednesday, showing off their school spirit during a pep rally.
Only this pep rally had nothing to do with athletics.
The roughly 600 rowdy and cheering students were assembled to celebrate academics.
As part of its Renaissance program, the school conducts pep rallies every nine weeks to reward students for academics, attendance and attitude.
When the school initiated the Renaissance program in the fall of 2006, each of the three grades were separated into two teams using the names of American Indian tribes. The Braves are the school mascot.
Sixth-grade is split into the Apache and Cherokee teams, seventh-grade into the Iroquois and Shawnee teams and eighth-grade into the Seminole and Chippewa teams.
At the pep rally, teams from each grade went against each other in a truth-or-dare competition.
Sixth graders danced in cheerleader outfits to the Miley Cyrus song, “Party in the U.S.A.” Seventh graders danced in chicken outfits to the “Chicken Song.” Eighth graders competed by covering the cars of principal Kevin Combs and assistant principal Larry Barton with toilet paper.
Winners received treats from Sonic Drive-in or were awarded dress-down days.
Banners also were given to the teams with the best attendance, attitude, academics and spirit.
Winners of a student-of-the-month drawing received cash prizes.
Students who had previously received I.D. badges for silver, platinum or gold, based on report card grades, were placed in a drawing for cash prizes or iPods.
An iPod was awarded to one student in each grade.
The performance that drew the loudest and most appreciative response was given to Michael Jackson impersonator Albert Ignacio of Lexington, who danced as the late pop star’s songs, “Dangerous” and “Billie Jean,” blared over the loudspeakers.
Tim Mandell can be reached at tmandell@richmondregister.com or 623-1669 ext. 6696.
