Poughkeepsie Homecoming’s Spirit on Full Display

POUGHKEEPSIE – The tug of war wasn’t a contest.

In a match of eight seniors against eight freshmen, the upperclassmen dragged the first-year students forward from the starting whistle and kept pulling most of the length of the football field.

But the freshmen saved the best performance for last, with four sets of students hopping their way to a victory in the three-legged race and exploding into a mosh-like celebration to close Friday’s festivities.

The Poughkeepsie High School Homecoming Pep Rally put school spirit on display, as teams and clubs around the school were honored and students from all four grade levels competed on the football field.

“It was fun,” said Isaiah Williams, a senior wide receiver on the football team. “It’s cool to be recognized, especially if you’re a senior.”

The rally marked the end of spirit week at the school, in which grade levels competed in decorating their hallways – the seniors took top honors – and students were encouraged to dress in themes, such as looking like your best friend on Tuesday and dressing in specific grade-dictated colors on Friday. The rally also marked the beginning of Homecoming Weekend, with the Homecoming Dance in the gymnasium Friday night and a home football game against Tuckahoe Saturday afternoon to cap the season.

The pep rally began with each club and team entering the field through the inflatable entrance used at the football games. The teams then lined up on the field and observed the national anthem performed by senior cheerleader Allysha Anderson and the AFJROTC Color Guard.

Entertainment included a routine from the cheerleading squad and a beat box performance from Pedro Johnson. Seniors Natalia Lopez and Jamir Hawley served as emcees.

The competitions capped the day. While the senior octet showed the freshmen their muscle, the sophomores likewise won their tug of war with the juniors. Both classes were declared winners, as the rally began to run long. Senior Henry Gonzalez said he would have liked to settle things with the younger group.

“I was up for another challenge,” he said.

Eight students from each class – four sets of two – then tied their legs together and hopped the width of the football field in a relay race to the delight of the student audience.

As the final set of freshmen passed the finish line they were enveloped by their six cheering teammates, capping the rally.

After spending last year’s rally indoors due to weather, Gonzalez relished the outdoor celebration. “This year was nice and sunny,” he said.