On Nov. 21, Lexington High School held its annual Senior Pep Rally. This lively and fun-filled social event is an annual tradition that was recently established to build camaraderie among peers and to mark a significant milestone in students’ high school journeys.
Though the rally shares many goals and characteristics with other schoolwide spirit events, the Senior Pep Rally is exclusive to twelfth graders, a distinct quality that has been questioned by underclassmen. While LHS’s junior, sophomore, and freshman classes could benefit from the social aspect of pep rallies, it is important to keep in mind the overwhelming planning demands and costs of such events, as well as what the events individually signify. It does not seem necessary or convenient for the senior-only tradition of pep rallies to be expanded to other grades. However, similar school spirit events remain crucial to developing a sense of community within LHS and would unquestionably benefit from increased student participation.
The Senior Pep Rally’s exclusivity can be attributed to the immense amount of planning and fundraising required behind the scenes of such a large and successful school event.
“You build a lot of money throughout the four years [of high school],” Rachel Lei, the junior class president, said when speaking of the resources seniors have access to for event organization. “Underclassmen don’t have that many funds, and it’s hard to get materials.”
Additionally, Lei mentioned that it is difficult to plan events for the whole school due to space constraints.
“There’s not enough space to hold the entire school,” Alice Ma, the senior class president, agreed.
Beyond logistics, a critical aspect of the Senior Pep Rally is its symbolic meaning for twelfth graders as they approach graduation. With college applications and other pressures dominating senior year, the rally is a rare opportunity for students to come together, bond with the community, and unwind.
“It’s a good time for seniors to get together because they’re so stressed with college applications and everything going on,” Ma said.
Furthermore, while Lei said that underclassman pep rallies would be ideal, Ma said that the pep rally experience would not have felt as special had she been an underclassman participating in one. “I think it’s more special because it’s for seniors,” she said.
Ultimately, the debate over senior-only pep rallies reflects a larger question about what school spirit means at LHS. School spirit goes beyond costumes and competitions; it is the sense of connection that develops when students feel invested in their community.
“School spirit is when people can put aside their differences and celebrate together,” Ma said. Lei added that school spirit events build a sense of community especially when students are able to have fun as a group.
While the realities of planning logistics, funding limitations, and space concerns justify keeping the pep rally tradition specific to seniors, those factors should not limit spirit for the rest of the school. Expanding student participation in spirit weeks and grade-wide events would strengthen the community without compromising what makes the senior pep rally unique. School spirit should not be something students wait four years to experience, but rather something they feel from the moment they arrive as a freshman.