Last Friday, August 28, Plainfield North High School held their first pep rally assembly of the 2015-16 school year.

During the pep assembly, students participated in class cheers, watching the band and choir perform the school fight song, and watch the staff participate in relay races.

The administration is doing these pep assemblies every month, to increase the school spirit and teach the student population what school spirit is.

“The assemblies every month are in a sense teaching how to promote school spirit within the school community,” said assistant principal, Ross Draper.

Plainfield North has had school assemblies in the past; however, only one or two assemblies have been done per school year.

“I hope to get an increased student participation in school spirit in representing their class and better improving the portrayal of our school,” said Draper. “Plainfield North is a great place to be, but it can also be better.”

Due to the fact that Plainfield North has had seldom school pep rallies in the past, the administration knew that it was a big change that they were doing, and the results were unsure.

“Monthly school assemblies are something that I have always thought about, as well as ways to increase school spirit, and it has essentially manifested itself over the last couple years,” said Draper. “Finally, we decided to do the monthly pep rallies this year.”

According to Draper, the results were positive.

“I really noticed how much the classes like class color days, especially for homecoming week,” said Draper. “The students go all out – dressing to the nines – it gives students something fun to do, and gives students a bit of a break from the academic component, because high school isn’t just about academics. The social and emotional aspect of high school ties into the monthly spirit days.”

All of the Plainfield North classes took the first school spirit day seriously, and it was a close match between all of the classes.

The freshman class came in first place, with 87 percent participation for class colors, the sophomore class in second with 86 percent participation, the senior class in third with 81 percent participation, and the junior class in last place with 77 percent participation.

“I think as we go along and see that this is more of a competition, the more participation we will get from every class level,” said Draper.

Draper states that in coming assemblies, he plans to get students involved in the relays as well as the staff members, as well as getting every class to learn their own class cheer.

“I was extremely happy and proud to be at North on Friday just from the participation that I saw from the students, and that started with students coming in the door with their class colors on as well as the involvement with the cheers and relays,” said Draper. “It was fun to see everyone come together on a Friday afternoon.”

Draper believes that the assemblies will continue to be successful, and is excited for our next monthly assembly, the Homecoming pep rally.