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CISD kicks off year with pep rally
  
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By JOSH HARDWICK
Administrators, teachers and students of Crosby ISD sought to rekindle some hometown pride Aug. 23, with a pep rally celebrating the start of the 2008-2009 school year.
The idea for what Superintendent Mike Joseph called a, “celebration of Crosby” was the brainchild of high school drama teacher Raymond Blanchard and dance team director Nikki Blanchet, both of whom sought to bring students and teachers from all CISD schools together to kick off the year with a bang.
“It’s to continue the hometown feeling,” Blanchard said. “There has been so much teamwork behind the scenes to pull together so many groups and that’s what makes it all so special. Everyone is involved.”
And indeed everyone was involved. From the varsity football team and the cheerleading and dance squads to the band and the JROTC, clubs and students representing every school in the district converged upon the Crosby High School football stadium for the event.
District employees and parents tailgated in the parking lot, handing out hot dogs and drinks to attendees adorned in red-and-white before filing into the stadium for the start of the rally.
In his second year as principal of the high school, Dr. Marley Morris helped oversee his school’s tent at the tailgate party. During what is usually a time of great stress for students and teachers alike, Morris said it was refreshing to start the year off with a celebration.
“We’re just goofing off and having a good time,” he said.
Joseph gave the opening address, expressing gratitude for the turnout and support of the community and pledging to support student education in all of its facets.
“We put this event on to thank the community, thank the parents and to show the students - from kindergarten to high school – that we’re going to support you academically and athletically,” he said.
Both varsity and junior varsity cheerleaders took to the track to teach the crowd cheers such as the staples, “Big Red” and “Two Bits” chants.
Students from each campus then took the spotlight, competing to see who could eat a cake the fastest and who could wrap their partner in more toilet paper.
Even the crowd joined in the competition, answering trivia questions about the history of Crosby for prizes donated by area businesses.
Ever wonder what was the first paved road in Texas? Anyone living near Crosby probably uses it daily. How about Crosby’s original name?
Blanchard said that, being the first time the district has attempted such an event, he was unsure how the community would respond. But, hearing more than 100 participants yell out the answer, “Lickskillet,” helped reassure him that he was witnessing a tradition in the making.
“We didn’t know what to expect, but anything we can do for the kids is what we are all about,” he said.
Joseph said that the event was also an opportunity to introduce not only the varsity football team for the year, but the officers for all of the district’s organizations as football captains, volleyball captains, drill team officers, cheer captains and drum majors took to the field.
Teachers and administrators took to the field to end the night’s celebration by performing the “cupid shuffle” line dance inspired by the popular hip hop song of the same name, much to the delight of students and parents.
Looking back, Joseph said the event was a fitting way to start the school year on a good note and to get the town excited for the accomplishments of all its students.
“We will do everything we can to make sure our students realize their potential,” he said.
The idea for what Superintendent Mike Joseph called a, “celebration of Crosby” was the brainchild of high school drama teacher Raymond Blanchard and dance team director Nikki Blanchet, both of whom sought to bring students and teachers from all CISD schools together to kick off the year with a bang.
“It’s to continue the hometown feeling,” Blanchard said. “There has been so much teamwork behind the scenes to pull together so many groups and that’s what makes it all so special. Everyone is involved.”
And indeed everyone was involved. From the varsity football team and the cheerleading and dance squads to the band and the JROTC, clubs and students representing every school in the district converged upon the Crosby High School football stadium for the event.
District employees and parents tailgated in the parking lot, handing out hot dogs and drinks to attendees adorned in red-and-white before filing into the stadium for the start of the rally.
In his second year as principal of the high school, Dr. Marley Morris helped oversee his school’s tent at the tailgate party. During what is usually a time of great stress for students and teachers alike, Morris said it was refreshing to start the year off with a celebration.
“We’re just goofing off and having a good time,” he said.
Joseph gave the opening address, expressing gratitude for the turnout and support of the community and pledging to support student education in all of its facets.
“We put this event on to thank the community, thank the parents and to show the students - from kindergarten to high school – that we’re going to support you academically and athletically,” he said.
Both varsity and junior varsity cheerleaders took to the track to teach the crowd cheers such as the staples, “Big Red” and “Two Bits” chants.
Students from each campus then took the spotlight, competing to see who could eat a cake the fastest and who could wrap their partner in more toilet paper.
Even the crowd joined in the competition, answering trivia questions about the history of Crosby for prizes donated by area businesses.
Ever wonder what was the first paved road in Texas? Anyone living near Crosby probably uses it daily. How about Crosby’s original name?
Blanchard said that, being the first time the district has attempted such an event, he was unsure how the community would respond. But, hearing more than 100 participants yell out the answer, “Lickskillet,” helped reassure him that he was witnessing a tradition in the making.
“We didn’t know what to expect, but anything we can do for the kids is what we are all about,” he said.
Joseph said that the event was also an opportunity to introduce not only the varsity football team for the year, but the officers for all of the district’s organizations as football captains, volleyball captains, drill team officers, cheer captains and drum majors took to the field.
Teachers and administrators took to the field to end the night’s celebration by performing the “cupid shuffle” line dance inspired by the popular hip hop song of the same name, much to the delight of students and parents.
Looking back, Joseph said the event was a fitting way to start the school year on a good note and to get the town excited for the accomplishments of all its students.
“We will do everything we can to make sure our students realize their potential,” he said.
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