By Amelia King
Lake Howell Student Writer
Amelia King is a senior at Lake Howell High School and a dual-enrolled student who is passionate about writing, dancing, singing, music and foreign languages/cultures. She’s written a blog for cyberbullying.org, been a speaker for the Aaron Judge Foundation's Leadership Master Class Webinar with Dr. Hinduja and was a winner of SSC's Business Start-Up competition where she was the only high school student competing against college students. Being a founding member and part of the leadership team for both Step Team and Health and Wellness Club as well as being the founder and president of Hawks' International Connections Club has been a fun way of spreading positivity and diversity. She also is the 2024 National AP Scholar with Distinction Award recipient
With colorful string confetti flying in all directions across its gymnasium, high school students, teachers, and staff stomp on the floor and bellow out with vigor in a tight competition to see which class holds the most spirit. A well-known staple of American high schools, pep rallies set off the school year with a literal and audible bang, allotting students the opportunity to showcase their school spirit and get excited for all kinds of fun extracurricular activities. Each school year, at least bi or triannually, Lake Howell High School holds a pep rally for its football games. At the beginning of this year, the Class of 2025 Seniors won the spirit stick.
Contrary to what some may see, pep rallies are not just about the paint, lights, and blow horns – each rally commemorates the new high school football season and showcases the student body’s talent in various sports and areas of the performing arts. In addition to the band and color guard/winter guard, various dance programs, including cheer and step, perform elaborately choreographed routines. Varsity TV highlights, performers “need to make sure [they] clean and practice any performances so they are ready for the big day.” As Lake Howell’s mascot, Howie the Hawk stated on his Instagram account, “Let me tell you about that time when the spirit stick was 8 feet tall and my best friend wore the coolest jacket. I want one!!” Well done, Silver Hawks! Let’s continue being the most spirited high school and spread that positive energy wide with our wings.
