On Friday, September 11th, Benet Academy held its annual pep assembly. Orchestrated by SG, the assembly featured performances, competitions, and treasured traditions. It brought together students, teachers, and coaches and served as a fitting start to a fun-filled weekend.
The assembly featured performances from both the Benet Cheerleaders and the Benet Avions. The cheerleaders kicked off the assembly with an acrobatic array of dazzling stunts. Redwings broke out in applause after each spectacular move. The Avions bookended the cheerleaders with an immersive light show that took place in total darkness. Redwings were mesmerized by the vivid, neon colors and the flawless choreography of the production.
The assembly offered opportunities for Redwings to showcase their competitive spirit. Seniors Ronan Devine and Nico DiCosola competed against each other in the cake-eating contest, trying to see who could eat the most cake in one minute, with the one caveat that neither could use their hands. In the end, Devine prevailed. Devine again defeated DiCosola when the football team beat the hockey team in a dance-off. Though the hockey team’s choreographed dance routine was highly impressive, the dance moves of a few football players ultimately won the crowd over.
While both the cake-eating competition and the dance-off have been featured in years past, Hungry Hungry Hippos, based on the classic board game and inspired by the Homecoming theme “Welcome to the Jungle,” was brand new this year. One person lay on a scooter, trying to capture as many balls as possible while their partner pushed them around. The event felt extremely chaotic, which only added to its novelty and excitement. In the end, Miss Bates and Mrs. Monson emerged victorious, beating three pairings of students and another faculty pairing of Nurse McIntyre and Mr. Blaney.
The pairing that would join the long lineage of Benet Academy homecoming kings and queens was revealed at the assembly. Seniors were given the opportunity to nominate their classmates, and their choices were later dwindled to five boys and five girls. A round of voting determined who the winners were, but everybody was kept in the dark until they were revealed at the assembly. Both winners were announced after a drumroll, which only added to everyone’s anticipation. The winners were Connor Kelanic and Aleksia Nenadovich. Each received a crown, a sash, and a place in Benet history. Reflecting on his experience, Kelanic said, “Thank you to all my friends for voting! It was a really cool memory for all of us!”
But Kelanic was not the only one who made memories that day. The assembly intensified the strong school spirit that had been felt throughout the week and united a Benet community only a few weeks into the school year. An appearance from Head Football Coach James White inspired students and increased their excitement level for that night’s game, which had an electric atmosphere yet ultimately ended in defeat. Nevertheless, the contagious excitement felt at the assembly has remained, and students eagerly await upcoming school events.
