The drum-pounding, yell-leading, dance-across-the-floor spirit leaked out of Killeen ISD high school gyms and auditoriums into the hallways and classrooms during readiness events Wednesday to prepare new students for a new school year.
At Chaparral High School, students and family members walked between lines of cheerleaders and Blu the mascot to enter the school auditorium and an opening rally that featured the Bobcats’ spirit groups.
The band, cheerleaders, color guard and TopCat dance team spread out across the auditorium and worked to pump up the crowd and introduce the school song and chants.
Principal Elizabeth Cunningham introduced the school administrators and welcomed the new freshmen and other students and guests.
The band, choir, orchestra, dance team, cheerleaders and drama troupe performed, and several leaders encouraged students to find an extra-curricular niche outside the classroom.
Students new to the school divided into four groups for building tours, explored a club fair in the cafeteria and picked up additional information and schedules in the gym.
Chaparral senior Antonio Hudson, president of National Honor Society and a drum major in the band was one of several student leaders guiding new students.
“We want to show them around, show them what high school is like,” he said.
Being a freshmen can be scary, the senior said, but getting plugged into organizations builds spirit and allows students to assimilate into the culture.
“Our cheer team is giving them tours and showing them where their classes are. It’s a tour and a show to get them comfortable to be Chaparral students,” said Hudson. “School spirit is really big and friendly. It’s all love here."
Harker Heights, Ellison, Killeen, Shoemaker and Early College high schools all provided information to students and families Wednesday and scheduled rallies sometime during the week.
At Ellison, students gathered in the gym for the school’s annual Eagle Fest where they took part in a pep rally then walked through their class schedules and common areas to get to know the school.
Junior Reagan Snider, a cheerleader and one of the tour guides said the start of school is a key time to introduce students to Ellison’s organizations as they pick up schedules and learn their way around.
“Today for us is really to bring out the spirit and keep everyone positive and happy,” she said.
“I really hope they are learning their way around the school and that they realize that it is not scary and that with the right people and the right encouragement that it’s going to be OK because it’s really fun,” Snider said.
“It feels good to be able to help others. I get to interact with all the freshmen. Being an upperclassman means being a leader and that is important.”
Killeen ISD middle schools hosted readiness events Tuesday.
Elementary schools host Meet the Teacher from 4 to 6 p.m. Thursday.
The first day of school is Monday.
Photos: www.killeenisd.org/photos
Back to school information: www.killeenisd.org/b2s
