The sound of popping balloons, toilet paper thrown all over the gym and rings landing on witch hats set the scene as students pack the stands for the first rally of the year for the Bulldogs. This year’s back-to-school rally theme was Wizard of Oz and marked the last back-to-school rally for the senior class.
Students flooded the gym as the Marching Band played several songs, including “I Want You Back” by the Jackson 5, the Tracy High fight song, “Sticky” and while the students were making their way to their sections. The Marching Band played “I Want You Back” and “Earfquake” by Tyler the Creator.
Seerat Sandhu, a current senior, expressed their appreciation for the music played.
“I really enjoyed the music the band played, the two Tyler the Creator Songs Sticky and Earfquake,” Sandhu exclaimed.
The rally started with Elphaba (Emma Klein) and Glinda (Leila Montour) hyping up the crowd. Klein then performed the National Anthem before appreciating all clubs and fall sports on campus. They then introduced the Dance Team, and they performed their new routine for this year.
Following the performance they introduced the first game. A tornado themed contest, where students wrapped each other in toilet paper. Seniors took the win in this game.
Following the senior win, Sandhu reflected on the fun she had but wished it had lasted longer.
“I really loved the first game with wrapping the other person in the toilet paper, but it felt to short and could have gone on for a bit longer.” Sandhu said.
Afterward, the Tracy Cheer team performed their new routine. Then came the witch hat game, where four students tossed rings to the top of the witch hat placed on a student’s head. This game’s main goal was to get the most rings on top of the hat.
The last game consisted of the students running to a partner, tying themselves together and finally popping a balloon. The game had the students on the edge of their seats.
Once the final game was over, the marching band closed with the Tracy
High alma mater, joined in harmony with students and staff.
As the rally closed, current senior Beckani Ramierez grew nostalgic about experiencing her last back-to-school rally.
“Honestly, it doesn’t feel real because I remember being a freshman at my first rally and feeling this new energy and now, I felt it for the last time.” Ramierez said. “The energy was there for the senior side because we were all trying to enjoy the moment and engulf it all” she concluded.
Rally commissioner Emma Klein said she was proud of how the event turned out.
