After being postponed an hour, the 2009 Homecoming pep rally began with the highest attendance that it has seen in many years.

Around 8:30 p.m., student body President Mo Mahoney made an announcement that the pep rally would wait to start until after the service with Mark Zweifel and Sam Johnson, thereby allowing more people to participate in the altar service. The student body and the alumni present for the 60th anniversary totaled approximately 500 participants.

The rally began with a sushi contest where an egg, hot sauce, or baby food was placed on top of rice. There were teams of two, and whichever team ate all five sushi types without spitting one into a garbage can won. The alumni team with their stronger stomachs won this one.

Next, the cheerleaders did a choreographed routine, and Aleena Morgan, their coach, gave a speech about keeping a good attitude and encouraging the team to play hard.

Band air-guitar came next, with the football coaches versus a few of the football players. The coaches did their best, but the player’s attention to detail won them the game. One could tell that Matt Fellers was singing the words of the song, and their group was very synchronized.

Egg smashing was the next game, with student body President Mo giving the win to Heather Kessler, a freshman. The players secured eggs on their heads with nylon and tried to smash the others’ eggs with a roll of newspaper.

The volleyball players stepped up next, introduced themselves, and also gave their encouragement to the football team. Kristin Ayze stated, “We will be there cheering you on tomorrow!” Even with their difficult start, the volleyball team is playing hard and refuses to give in.

The Alka-seltzer game was next: first came a round without water (which foams up the tablets) and then a second round with the tablets and water. Nikki Fellers, Tyler Lamb, and Lindsey Aufenkamp played in the final round to see who would come out the victor. Tyler Lamb showed his tolerance skills and gained the win.

The Football team lined up next, with Greg Washington serving as the emcee and introducing everyone. Matt Fellers said a few words, which connected to Foster’s “Actions speak louder than words” speech which came afterward. Next, senior Jimbo Hale spoke, Coach Mike Maroney gave a quick devotion from Habakkuk , and Coach Dustin Morgan rallied the students to cheer loudly and to keep a good attitude.

The sleeping bag game was next, with volunteers placing sleeping bags over their heads and picking up money from the floor.

An alumnus stated that this year’s pep rally was well organized and one of the best in years.