Masuk Free Press

Last Friday, Masuk closed out spirit week in the only way that felt appropriate: in true panther style. Students donned the traditional Masuk gear, representing the school and their teams in jerseys, hoodies, and sweats. 

Hardcore students accessorized with face paint, beads and tutus, all in variations of red white and black to maximize their display of school spirit. 

All of the color coordination paid off beautifully as students filed into the gym for the 1 pm pep rally. The bleachers were a sea of spirit as the different classes made their presence known. 

A pep rally could never truly begin without the passionate booing of the underclassmen, and the traditional senior run into the stands. Unfortunately, this year’s senior run was a bit of a disjointed performance. Half of the seniors spiritedly ran in too early, while the other half walked in a few minutes later. 

Mr. Castillo did what he does best, which is deliver a masterful performance as the pep rally’s MC, and lead the school in the “rollercoaster.” 

After impressive performances from the band, cheer, and dance team, and the awarding of the spirit awards, Castillo and the Red Army led the school in highly anticipated classwide games.

The traditional class vs class tug of war ended predictably, with the juniors knocking over the freshmen, seniors beating the sophomores, and the seniors kicking the juniors. The most exciting showdown of the afternoon consisted of the seniors emerging victorious over the teacher team, which consisted of Iverson, Young, Larson, Crino, and Scarpatti.

This year’s sibling versus sibling game was a balloon race. Sibling duos were tasked with popping 3 balloons, each level with varying levels of difficulty. They had to pop the balloon between a chest bump, then pop it by jumping on their sibling’s lap, and finally, by pop the balloon by running and jumping on top of their sibling lying on the floor. This game yielded precarious, yet amusing results. The siblings did not hold back in their efforts. Chairs (and students) went flying, and WWE elbows were thrown. The junior/senior duo of Trent and Brody Pierson emerged victorious, but not without lack of potential injuries. 

The final game played was “guess that song.” Mr. Parkhurst came in for another chance at finals after his performance last year, and Mr. Casinelli was victorious after a lucky selection of Ariana Grande’s “Problem.” 

Usual hijinks ensued between the students, as Freshmen missed Van Morrison’s “Brown Eyed Girl” for the second year in a row, and Emma Cusa lamented over not knowing the country song she was given. 

Red Army leaders Sienna Callahan and Natalie Lieto did not hold back in smearing the shaving cream on the faces of the losers. Those unlucky guessers were counting their lucky stars that the pep rally was the last event of the day, and they did not have to walk around with shaving cream embedded in their scalps.

School Spirit and a pep rally was a quintessentially American way to close out the homecoming school week, and students and faculty alike gave it their all to give the week a memorable end.