BY OLIVIA GIELLO

Beverly High School’s Pep Rally took place on November 23. For seniors, the annual event holds special significance.

As a freshman, would current BHS Senior and Pep Rally emcee Emily Jerimique have ever expected to host the event?

“Absolutely not,” Jerimique said. “But I was so excited when I got asked”.

The senior was grateful for the opportunity to make her mark and express a different side of her personality. 

And grateful that her class had a chance to connect in a fun way at the packed rally, a rarity for much of their high school experience due to the years-long COVID-19 pandemic.

“It gets everyone hype together,” Jerimique said. “The school needs more community like this.” 

Amelia Massa, a BHS Senior attending the rally, emphasized the significance of the Pep Rally for this year’s graduating class. “It being our last ever pep rally, I was excited,” Massa said. 

Massa’s reflections echo those of countless seniors this year. As graduation comes near, each event becomes more special for seniors, an occasion to try to make it more memorable. This year’s graduating class shares a common, poignant bond in that the pandemic derailed the normal high school trajectory for students. 

“We didn’t have a sophomore year because of Covid,” Massa recalled. “So I feel like I didn’t get the full experience.” 

The extra school spirit coming from the Class of 2023 this year has a huge part to do with all of the time lost throughout their high school careers. While it was a huge bummer they didn’t get to have four pep rallies, they decided to make the most out of the last one. They fueled their disappointment with extra appreciation and participation.  

“I loved how involved everyone got [showing their] school spirit,” Massa said. 

To show her own Panther pride, Amelia made signs. At the event, she held a sign reading “Fresh Meat” in big, bubble letters. Asked about its meaning, Massa responded with dry sarcasm. 

“I made signs to support the younger class, the freshmen,” Massa said.

One long standing Pep Rally tradition is that the Seniors give the freshmen a hard time at the pep rally, teasing and booing them when they try to cheer. It’s not meant to be cruel, just a rewarding rite of passage for the seniors, since they endured the same gentle ribbing three years earlier.

Kicking off the event were BHS Chorale students with a soulful rendition of the Star Spangled Banner. The BHS Marching Band provided a rousing soundtrack for the remainder of the event.

Among other highlights: BHS Senior Pete O’Brien was awarded with a Varsity letter and letterman jacket for his outstanding involvement in the sports community at the high school. The student body showered O’Brien with deafening waves of applause during his speech.

The event was lively and moving, with enthusiastic cheering, whistling, and shouting. As the event wound down, smiling faces on departing students could be seen all around. 

The Pep Rally “showed how well our school can come together,” Massa said.