To spice up the rally, the grades put together class skits and games based on their movie theme, garnering audience participation and laughs. Relay races, an intense game of musical chairs and a high-flying performance by the Heritage rally squad were also included in the end-of-the-year event.
"We (the Leadership class) tried to include all the classes in the games so that everyone felt like a part of the rally," said Leadership student Sabine Ernest. "Instead of just asking for volunteers for the games, we handed out little bracelets that said what game people were doing, so that way, involvement in the games was more certain."
Photos courtesy of Taylor Isaacson
Heritage's newest addition, mascot Uncle Pat, receives a warm welcome from ASB officers Ali Ward and Taylor Isaacson.
To close the rally, the winners of the ASB (All Student Body) election were announced. The title of ASB President went to Ali Ward; Taylor Isaacson was voted Vice President; David Staton was chosen as Secretary, and Libbie Bronzan was re-elected as Treasurer.
"I think that this rally had a little more thought put into it, and more spirited participants," said freshman Elissa Bledsoe of the event. "I think they (Leadership) tried harder to make it more enjoyable for everyone."
A special surprise was revealed at the rally that pumped up Patriot pride. The Heritage mascot, an Uncle Sam look-alike dubbed "Uncle Pat," took the stage for the first time in Heritage history.
The idea of the "Uncle Pat" mascot was devised by Ward and Isaacson, and took almost a year to plan and execute. The majority of the school year was spent brainstorming, browsing, purchasing and planning how the mascot was to look.
"It was kind of tough because apparently it isn't 'politically correct' to have the typical Patriot with the musket and hat, so we really had to use our brains and think out of the box," said Ward of the new mascot. "Now, we don't have to refer to ourselves as the Patriots who are stars; we actually have a real heroic figure!" The costume for Uncle Pat arrived the day before the rally, and not a moment too soon.
"Originally, we were thinking about having two mascots - Uncle Pat and a star," said Isaac-son. "Potentially, that could still happen in the future; but right now we're just really happy about Uncle Pat."
The purchase of a school mascot costume is only one of many that the Leadership students have in mind. The 2007-08 school year will be the first in which all four grades (ninth through 12th) will attend, and a number of goals for that year (such as buying floats for the annual Housewarming parade) have already been established.
With a full set of classes next year, a solid Leadership program and a spirited mascot, those dreams promise to become realities.
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