Rancho Cucamonga High School hosted its annual Renaissance Rally on Friday, Mar. 13, in the gym, which was decorated with all things pirates and vibrant floor length posters. Over 2000 students wore Ren Rally shirts for their great accomplishments of maintaining a high GPA.
The rally started with a skit of a heated rivalry between two captains played by Mr. Aaron Bishop, who swung into the Rally to greet “Captain” and Principal Azande Aikens. The Ren Rally was created to highlight senior students for all they have done in the past four years, and that’s exactly what this year’s rally did. From highlighting senior students who showed excellence in department awards, all the way to scholar-athlete students.
“Ren Rally is important because it’s an opportunity to recognise student achievements, and I think it motivates students to work to the best of their abilities,” Assistant Principal of Instruction Dr. Sherry Berwick said.
Opening up the rally with the winter drumline was one of the many performances to be showcased at the rally by the musical arts program. It was followed by the national anthem, sung as a duet by Grace Jourieh and Sahar Alauddin.
Students soon got fired up with dances from this year’s teacher of the year nominees, which included Mr. Lawrence Prince, Ms. Charise Van Duin, Ms. Candice Newman, Mr. Larry Cutbirth, Mr. Brent Alderson, Ms. Lizette Carrell, Mr. Arik Boles, Ms. Shannon Patton, and Mr. Michael Lindensmith. After a close competition, it was announced that Ms. Carrell, the physical education teacher, won Teacher of the Year.
After, RCHS junior varsity dance performed a show-stopping dance that won them an award at the dance competition Maxt Out. Then, shortly after the RCHS cheer performed impressive stunts and flips, Mr. Bishop led the spirit clap.
Next, the Terry Large award for most inspiring student, presented by Terry Large’s family, was dedicated to two senior RCHS students, Kennedy Ewing Chow and Malia Reinhold.
Students and staff also got to see the Staff Cougar award, which Officer Leticia Escobar won, and it was followed with excitement from the crowd.
“I don’t know, it’s just different, not in a bad way, I just don’t know how to feel. I have never won anything,” Officer Escobar said
To calm the rally, RCHS highlighted staff who are retiring from RCHS. With a performance by seniors Brooklyn Helper and Khloe Wales, who sang the song Vienna by Billy Joel to encourage students and staff to slow down and stop rushing through life.
The students were again hyped up by the RCHS varsity dance with an all-girl group dance and a different dance performed by an all-boys group dance.
The Rally was concluded by the staff dance that brought students’ spirits up with all kinds of tricks and stunts.
“My favorite part of the rally was the staff dance because Ms. Vessup was doing the splits in the air, and it made me laugh,” senior Leilani Peterson said.
The Ren rally ended on a high note; the gym was filled with cougar pride, with all the excitement of the accomplishments of the past year.
