On Friday, October 23, 2015, John I. Burton had a senior pep rally. The pep rally was hosted by Melissa Wharton and the cheerleaders in recognition of the class of 2016. The pep rally started at 2:30 p.m. in the gymnasium. Dakota Messer, a senior and the afternoon announcer, dismissed all students by each grade from their classes to go to the gym for the festivities. During the beginning of the pep rally, the cheerleaders welcomed in the seniors by getting the whole school to participate in a chant for them.
Next, the cheerleaders performed their half- time/pre-show performance. They danced to "Applause" by Lady Gaga, they danced to a drum line, and they cheered. To follow up with this event, The pep- rally officially began with the games. The first game played was called "Ships and Sailors". This game is like Simon Says, because you have to do what the leader tells you to. There are many different topics you have to display with your body. Some examples are : Whale, Star Fish, Four Men Eating, Five Men Pointing North, and Titanic. In this game, any students can play. This game is a two people/partner game. The were two pairs who won this year: Michael Taylor and Kira Sturgill as partners; and Niko Godsey and Roy Thacker as partners.
Another game was called Hungry Hippo. During this game, a student lays on a spin table and two people hold their legs. In the middle of the gym are about thirty balloons, and the first team to get the most balloons wins. The seniors were the only ones allowed to participate in this game.
At the end of the pep rally, the seniors were acknowledged according to the sports they participated in. These sports included : cheerleading,volleyball, football, one act, scholastic bowl, cross country, and golf. At the end, all of the seniors chose a representative to answer a world geography question in order to win a pizza party. That representative was Robert Beauchamp, and the question was how to pronounce the capital of Kentucky. It was a trick question, however, as the correct answer was not one of the options. Then, last but not least, the cheerleaders chanted while the seniors left. This was a very emotional time for the faculty and students. The seniors have been one of our schools most athletic and spontaneous classes yet. Burton's Blog wishes the class of 2016 good luck in your years to come.
Written by: Kira Sturgill